Ukraine to push for EU sanctions against networks recruiting Africans into Russian forces

Ukraine will initiate sanctions at a meeting of EU foreign ministers against networks that help recruit citizens of African countries into the ranks of Russia's Armed Forces. Source: European Pravda; Suspilne, Ukraine's national public broadcaster, citing Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha Details: Sybiha added that he will also demand a lifetime ban on entry to the European Union for citizens of African countries who fight for Russia. Quote: "Sadly, Russia continues to recruit African mer

Having suffered huge losses on the battlefield, they have found a way out by beginning to recruit mercenaries from African countries en masse." More details: Sybiha said that if a citizen of an African country is killed, this does not become public knowledge and Russia does not pay compensation to the relatives of those killed. He pointed out that in this way Russia is illegally dragging "African youth into someone else's war". Sybiha said that on 27 May, at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Ukraine will initiate sanctions against the networks involved in this recruitment. Quote: "Tomorrow I will attend a meeting of EU foreign ministers, and I will also propose that sanctions be imposed on the chains, individuals and infrastructure that draw citizens of African countries into Russia's war against Ukraine. We will also raise the issue of ensuring that those individuals, including citizens of African countries, who have taken part or will take part in military action against us on the Russian side are permanently banned from entering the European Union." More details: Sybiha also said the recruitment is often carried out fraudulently, adding that Ukraine is currently aware of about 3,000 citizens from a dozen African countries whom Russia has "deceived into being sent to almost certain death". Quote: "They must know that by signing a contract to serve in Russian forces, they are also signing away their trips to the EU, and we will see into this." On 5 May, the UK announced that it was imposing sanctions on 35 individuals and organisations involved in recruiting vulnerable migrants to fight in Russia's war in Ukraine. A European Parliament resolution adopted on 12 March stated that Russia is recruiting thousands of low-income citizens in African countries, Asia and Cuba and sending them to Ukraine on false pretences to take part in combat operations alongside Russian forces.

Key points

• Having suffered huge losses on the battlefield, they have found a way out by beginning to recruit mercenaries from African countries en masse." More details: Sybiha said that if a citizen of an Afr…
• He pointed out that in this way Russia is illegally dragging "African youth into someone else's war".
• Sybiha said that on 27 May, at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Ukraine will initiate sanctions against the networks involved in this recruitment.
• Quote: "Tomorrow I will attend a meeting of EU foreign ministers, and I will also propose that sanctions be imposed on the chains, individuals and infrastructure that draw citizens of African count…
• We will also raise the issue of ensuring that those individuals, including citizens of African countries, who have taken part or will take part in military action against us on the Russian side are…