Ukraine ready to provide Botswana with information regarding Russia's recruitment of its citizens – Sybiha

Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha stated this on X, Ukrinform reports.

"Ukraine has taken note of the statement issued by the Ministry of International Relations of the Republic of Botswana on February 26th on reports regarding Batswana nationals recruited into Russia's war against Ukraine. We welcome the efforts of Botswana's government to engage with relevant authorities. Ukraine remains open to bilateral dialogue on this matter," Sybiha noted.

Sybiha invited Botswana's Ministry of International Relations to officially raise this issue with the Ukrainian authorities in line with Botswana's longstanding practice of consultations with all relevant parties.

For his part, the Ukrainian foreign minister assured readiness to provide available information and assessments based on Ukrainian intelligence data that may complement information obtained from other sources.

"Ukraine's position remains consistent: participation of foreign citizens in Russia's war of aggression carries serious and often fatal consequences. Moreover, participation of Batswana citizens in foreign armed conflicts as mercenaries is prohibited under Botswana's national legislation," he warned.

As Ukrinform previously reported, on February 26, Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during a visit to Ukraine, spoke with two Ghanaian citizens who had fought on the side of Russian occupying forces and were captured by Ukrainian troops.

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