NAIROBI - President William Ruto held a significant phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, securing an agreement to facilitate the release of Kenyan nationals detained in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The discussion, confirmed by statements from both presidential offices, also addressed the alarming issue of young Kenyans being illegally recruited to fight in the war.

In what was described as a "fruitful" conversation, President Ruto expressed his concern over the recruitment schemes and formally requested that President Zelenskyy aid in the release of any Kenyan currently in Ukrainian custody. "I have requested President Zelensky to facilitate the release of any Kenyan in Ukrainian custody. I am grateful to His Excellency for acceding to my appeal," President Ruto stated in a social media post following the call. The two leaders agreed to collaborate on raising awareness about the dangers of such fraudulent ventures that lure individuals into the conflict zone.

This diplomatic engagement follows growing concerns over Kenyans being deceived by rogue agents with false promises of lucrative jobs in Russia, only to have their passports confiscated and be forced into military service. In recent months, reports have surfaced of Kenyans being captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for Russia. The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been actively engaging with both Moscow and Kyiv to ensure the safe return of its citizens.

Diplomacy on Food Security and Global Peace

Beyond the urgent issue of detained citizens, the leaders' discussion covered broader areas of mutual interest, underscoring the evolving relationship between the two nations. President Ruto commended President Zelenskyy for the upcoming Ukraine Food Summit, an initiative aimed at bolstering global food security disrupted by the conflict. This builds on previous commitments, including a plan to establish a Ukrainian grain hub at the Port of Mombasa to serve East Africa. The Mombasa hub is envisioned to stabilize food supplies in a region heavily reliant on grain imports and affected by global supply chain disruptions since the war began in February 2022.

President Zelenskyy briefed President Ruto on the current state of the war, including Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. He also sought Kenya's support for a forthcoming United Nations resolution condemning the illegal abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia. "I am grateful that we can count on Kenya's support," Zelenskyy noted, acknowledging Kenya's principled stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Kenya's Strategic Position

Kenya's diplomatic engagement with both Ukraine and Russia highlights its strategic foreign policy approach, often described as "strategic ambiguity". While Kenya's former envoy to the UN, Martin Kimani, delivered a powerful speech in February 2022 condemning the invasion by invoking Africa's colonial past, the Ruto administration has since maintained open channels with both sides to advance national interests.

The nation's economy has felt the war's impact, particularly through disruptions in wheat and fertilizer imports, which has contributed to a higher cost of living. Before the conflict, Ukraine was a significant source of wheat for Kenya, which imports up to 75 percent of its demand. Initiatives like the proposed grain hub and humanitarian shipments under the 'Grain from Ukraine' program are critical for mitigating these economic shocks.

The phone call also touched upon Zelenskyy's 10-point peace formula, a comprehensive plan that calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops, restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, and accountability for war crimes. Kenya has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict based on the principles of the UN Charter. As the dialogue between the two presidents continues, the focus remains on the immediate humanitarian needs of detained Kenyans and the long-term strategic partnerships in food security and international diplomacy.