Ukraine’s Diplomatic Push in Africa: A Rant with a Twist

5 min readJan 16, 2025

Alright, folks, let’s talk about Ukraine’s effort to break into Africa. Yeah, Ukraine — that scrappy country in Europe fending off a bully twice its size — is rolling into Africa like the new kid on the block, trying to make friends in a neighborhood where everyone’s already got a favorite uncle handing out cash. And that uncle? It’s Russia, slipping envelopes under the table while calling it “diplomacy.” Let’s cut through the nonsense.

1. A Balancing Act: Shaking Off Russia’s Grip

Russia’s been pulling its “anti-imperialist savior” act in Africa for decades. Back in the Soviet days, it was all about solidarity and liberation. Today? It’s Wagner Group goons and arms deals dressed up as “partnerships.” They’re not liberating anyone, folks — they’re just setting up shop, looting the place, and calling it a favor. It’s mafia tactics with a PR team.

And here comes Ukraine, trying to crash the party without the baggage of colonialism or imperialism. But let’s face it: getting noticed when Russia’s throwing guns and cash around is like trying to sell honesty at a poker game where everyone’s cheating. Still, Ukraine’s got one thing going for it — it’s not Russia. And for some African nations, that might just be enough.

2. Economic Realities and Corruption: Ukraine’s Uphill Battle

Here’s the thing: Ukraine’s broke. Fighting a war tends to do that. They’re pitching “grain diplomacy” — offering food to countries that need it. Noble, right? But let’s not kid ourselves: a lot of African leaders are looking at Ukraine and thinking, “Where’s the kickback?”

Russia? They’ve got the bribery playbook down to an art. Guns, grain, and greasy handshakes — Moscow’s got it all. They thrive in systems where corruption isn’t a bug; it’s a feature. And plenty of leaders are happy to play along as long as the personal bank accounts stay fat.

But Ukraine’s doing something different. They’re not just handing out bread; they’re saying, “Hey, let’s teach you how to bake your own.” It’s about sustainable partnerships — tech, tools, and independence. The kind of stuff that doesn’t fill offshore accounts but does build futures. Problem is, long-term thinking doesn’t always win over short-term greed.

3. Allegations and Neutrality: Euphemistic Hypocrisy at Play

Let’s talk about Mali. They’re out here accusing Ukraine of backing rebels while cozying up to Russia and letting Wagner mercenaries run the show. Seriously? That’s like accusing your neighbor of stealing cable while you’re siphoning their electricity. It’s not about sovereignty — it’s about excuses to keep the Russian gravy train rolling.

And this “neutrality” nonsense some African leaders love to tout? Give me a break. It’s a fancy way of saying, “We’re keeping our options open for the highest bidder.” Neutrality sounds great in speeches, but in practice, it’s just a smokescreen for corruption. Deals aren’t being made based on national interest — they’re being made based on who’s stuffing whose pockets.

Ukraine’s got to call this out for what it is. Stop letting neutrality be the polite way to dodge accountability. Focus on what actually matters: food security, infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Real partnerships, not the “who can bribe me best” contest that Russia’s been winning.

Conclusion: Ukraine’s African Odyssey

Ukraine’s push into Africa is like walking into a casino and trying to convince everyone to stop gambling. It’s bold, it’s messy, and it might just work — if they play it right. Russia’s selling a fantasy of “anti-imperialism” while robbing the place blind. Ukraine’s selling a future of independence and collaboration. The question is: who’s buying?

Here’s the kicker: if Kyiv sticks to its guns (not literally, leave that to Russia), listens more than it talks, and exposes the hypocrisy where it lives, they’ve got a shot. Africa doesn’t need another con artist — it needs a partner. And if Ukraine can pull that off, they won’t just win Africa’s trust; they’ll rewrite the rules of the game.

If you’re enjoying the content on my blog and would like to dive deeper into exclusive insights, I invite you to check out my Patreon page. It’s a space where you can support my work and get access to behind-the-scenes articles, in-depth analyses, and more. Your support helps me keep creating high-quality content and allows me to explore even more exciting topics. Visit [patreon.com/ChristianBaghai](https://www.patreon.com/ChristianBaghai) and join the community today! Thank you for being a part of this journey!

Christian Baghai | Patreon

Connecting the Dots: DJI, Drone Warfare, and the Modern Geopolitical Circus | Patreon

The World of Tanker Shenanigans: A Look at Maritime Oil Logistics | Patreon

Armenia’s Strategic Pivot: The Geopolitical Circus Hits a New Act | Patreon

The Global Fiasco of U.S. Oil Sanctions on Russia | Patreon

The Disinformation Clown Show: A Rant on Fox News and the Media Circus | Patreon

The BITE Model and Cult-Like Leadership: Analyzing Donald Trump | Patreon

Elon Musk, Propaganda, and the Power of Platforms | Patreon

When Fire Meets Fury: Ukraine’s Firefighters, America’s Politics, and MAGA’s Meltdown | Patreon

Chaos Inc.: Putin’s Partnerships and the Cost to Humanity | Patreon

The “Ukrainian Owl” and the Art of Exposing Russian Absurdity | Patreon

War, Waste, and Woe: The Russian Military’s Path to Self-Destruction | Patreon