Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Ghana and 46 other countries to protect their citizens from being recruited by Russia to fight in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr. Zelenskyy stated that Russia is using nationals from 47 countries in the conflict. He specifically mentioned Ghana, Nepal, Tajikistan, India, Yemen, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Belarus, Sudan, and South Africa.
According to President Zelenskyy, some foreign nationals were lured to Russia through deception and tricks, while others were sent to the battlefield. He also revealed that Ukraine had received requests from some countries seeking the return of particular prisoners of war. The Ukrainian leader directly appealed to representatives of the countries whose citizens are being drawn into the conflict, urging them to take steps to protect their nationals.
President Zelenskyy's remarks specifically highlighted Ghana as one of the countries whose nationals are involved in Russia's war effort. However, he did not provide a breakdown of how many Ghanaian nationals he believed were involved or details of the circumstances under which individual Ghanaians may have been recruited. His comments come amid broader international concerns over the involvement of foreign nationals in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The issue of foreign nationals fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war has raised concerns globally. In August, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that 62 Ghanaians have been killed, and 15 others remain missing in connection with the war. He stated that the government is intensifying diplomatic efforts to stop the illegal recruitment of Ghanaian youth into the conflict and protect them from recruitment networks operating in Russia.
Minister Ablakwa held bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his official visit to Russia, where he discussed the issue of Ghanaian nationals being recruited to fight in the war. The Russian authorities committed to working with Ghana to prevent the illegal enlistment of Ghanaian nationals into the conflict. Mr. Ablakwa emphasized that the government remains committed to protecting Ghanaian nationals from recruitment schemes that could expose them to the dangers of the conflict.
President Zelenskyy urged the representatives of the 47 countries to limit Russia's ability to act, limit its money, and limit its war. He emphasized that the international community should not let Russia pay for its actions with the lives of their people. The Ukrainian leader's address to the UN General Assembly highlighted the need for collective action to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly is being held in New York, with the General Debate running from September 22 to 28, 2026. The assembly provides a platform for world leaders to discuss pressing global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war and its implications for international peace and security.
Key points
- President Zelenskyy urges 47 countries, including Ghana, to protect their citizens from Russian recruitment.
- 62 Ghanaians killed, 15 missing in Russia-Ukraine war, according to Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister.
- International community urged to limit Russia's ability to act and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
