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Ukraine, Somalia establish diplomatic relations at Antalya forum

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Ukraine, Somalia establish diplomatic relations at Antalya forum
Ukraine and Somalia formally established diplomatic ties during the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey on April 11, 2025. (Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha / X) 

Ukraine and Somalia formally established diplomatic ties on April 11 during the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced.

"I signed relevant protocol with Somalia's State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Mohamed Omar," Sybiha wrote on X.

"We appreciate Somalia's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The move marks a significant expansion of Ukraine's diplomatic outreach in Africa, where Kyiv has sought to build new partnerships amid Russia's attempts to bolster its influence across the continent.

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has voiced consistent support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. Ukraine, in turn, has extended humanitarian assistance to Somalia through its "Grain from Ukraine" initiative, aimed at countering food insecurity in vulnerable regions.

The establishment of diplomatic relations reflects mutual interest in deeper cooperation as Ukraine works to broaden its global coalition in support of its resistance to Russian aggression.

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Tim Zadorozhnyy

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Tim Zadorozhnyy is the reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in foreign policy, U.S.-Ukraine relations, and political developments across Europe and Russia. Based in Warsaw, he pursued studies in International Relations and European Studies at Lazarski University, through a program offered in partnership with Coventry University. Tim began his journalism career in Odesa in 2022, working as a reporter at a local television channel. After relocating to Warsaw, he spent a year and a half with the Belarusian independent media outlet NEXTA, initially as a news anchor and later as managing editor. Tim is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

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