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Discuss Russia-Ukraine crisis, Russia’s recruitment of Nigerians into war, strengthening coordination in international fora
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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, met in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the sidelines of the Sir Bani Yas Forum, where they discussed issues surrounding the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the recruitment of Nigerians as mercenaries by Russia and the strengthening of coordination in international fora.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Sybiha disclosed the details of the meeting in separate posts on their social media handles.
The Sir Bani Yas Forum is an annual, high-level strategic retreat and diplomatic conference organised by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Taking to Instagram, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said that, during the meeting, both foreign ministers discussed issues surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war and areas of cooperation in the fields of agriculture and technology.
“Pleased to meet H.E. Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, at the Sir Bani Yas Forum (13-15 Nov 2026) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“He spoke on the battlefield situation, the effects of the war on civilian populations, peace efforts, and the global impact of the blockade on Ukrainian food exports in the Black Sea.
“We also discussed the unfortunate issue of Nigerian nationals recruited into the war, some of whom have either died at the battlefront or been captured by Ukrainian forces as prisoners of war. He condemned the recruitment of these young Nigerians who are then sent to die in a war of aggression that is not theirs.
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“We discussed other areas of cooperation in the fields of agriculture and technology,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The minister further recalled that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Ukraine were officially established on 10 December 1992, adding that the two nations continued to maintain active diplomatic ties, economic cooperation and high-level dialogue.
On his part, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said the meeting was productive.
He also said that, during the meeting, he briefed Odumegwu-Ojukwu on the situation at the front and the consequences of Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities, energy infrastructure and civilians.
“We discussed the urgent need to stop Russia from recruiting Nigerian citizens as mercenaries. Moscow lures people with false promises and sends them to die in a war of aggression that is not theirs. This practice must end, and we are ready to work together to stop it.
“Ukraine remains a responsible contributor to global food security. Despite Russian strikes on our ports and farmland, we are ready to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in this area,” Sybiha said.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister further said that, during the meeting, they agreed to strengthen coordination in international fora.
