President William Ruto held a significant phone discussion with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, focusing on the illegal recruitment of Kenyans into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and securing the release of those detained in Ukraine. The call, which took place in the evening East Africa Time, also covered bilateral relations and the far-reaching economic consequences of the conflict on Kenya.

A primary concern for President Ruto was the welfare of young Kenyans who have been illicitly recruited to fight in the war. In a statement released via social media, President Ruto confirmed he had appealed to President Zelenskyy to facilitate the release of any Kenyan citizens currently in Ukrainian custody. "I am grateful to His Excellency for acceding to my appeal," President Ruto stated, confirming that the two leaders agreed to collaborate on raising awareness about the dangers of such fraudulent recruitment schemes. This issue has gained prominence following reports from Kenya's Foreign Ministry in October 2025 that corrupt agents were luring citizens to Russia under false pretenses, only for them to end up in the military conflict.

President Zelenskyy acknowledged the issue, stating that both nations are aware of the "fraudulent methods being used" and will work more closely to stop the recruitment of foreign nationals into what he termed Russia's "criminal war". He also briefed President Ruto on Russia's recent attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure and expressed gratitude for Kenya's support.

Economic and Diplomatic Context

The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has had a substantial negative impact on the Kenyan economy. Disruptions in the global supply chain have led to significant price increases for fuel, fertilizer, and essential food commodities like wheat and cooking oil. Kenya has historically been a major importer of Ukrainian and Russian wheat; in 2021, these two countries supplied the vast majority of Kenya's wheat imports. The conflict disrupted these vital supplies, contributing to a cost-of-living crisis and placing considerable strain on Kenyan households and the agricultural sector.

Initiatives like the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the UN and Turkey in July 2022, provided temporary relief by allowing safe passage for grain exports from Ukrainian ports. Kenya was a significant beneficiary, receiving hundreds of thousands of metric tons of grain which helped stabilize food prices. However, the deal's intermittent nature and eventual suspension by Russia in July 2023 highlighted the vulnerability of food-importing nations. During the call, President Ruto commended President Zelenskyy for the upcoming Ukraine Food Summit, an initiative aimed at enhancing global food security.

Diplomatically, Kenya has consistently affirmed its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, a position articulated forcefully by Ambassador Martin Kimani at the UN Security Council in February 2022. While maintaining a formal stance of non-alignment and advocating for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution, Kenya has condemned the breach of the UN Charter. This position aligns with broader African efforts to mediate the conflict, such as the African peace mission in June 2023, which sought to engage both Kyiv and Moscow.

Future Cooperation

Beyond the immediate crises, the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations, which were formally established on March 5, 1993. Their teams are expected to continue working on joint projects. President Zelenskyy also highlighted a resolution Ukraine will submit to the United Nations this month condemning the illegal abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia, expressing gratitude for Kenya's anticipated support. The phone call builds on previous engagements, including a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2023, where discussions included the potential establishment of grain hubs in Kenya to serve the East Africa region. This ongoing dialogue signals a deepening of diplomatic ties as both nations navigate the complex security and economic challenges posed by the protracted conflict.