African Vector of Ukraine’s Foreign Policy: Problems of Implementation

The purpose of the study is to identify the problems of implementing the African vector of Ukraine’s foreign policy, which became evident in 2022-2025. The time frame of the study is determined by the intensification of Ukraine’s cooperation policy with African states. Based on the assessment of the results of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the factors that slow down Ukrainian-African interaction are revealed. The study is grounded in the methodology of neo-institutionalism. The negative consequences of Ukraine’s recent lack of a strategy for cooperation with African states and the Global South as a whole are noted. It is emphasized that Ukraine has intensified contacts with several African states. However, the development of relations with many of them and the implementation of specific projects are frequently slowed down by internal and external factors. It is stated that initiatives to intensify relations mainly originate from Ukraine, while African states often take a passive, contemplative, wait-and-see attitude. It is argued that qualitative changes in Ukraine’s cooperation with African states are hindered by: the peculiarities of Ukraine’s policy towards Africa in previous years; the interests of non-democratic states (Russia, China, etc.); the position of political elites of African states regarding neutrality, pragmatism in choosing partners for cooperation, etc. The problems for sustainable cooperation are identified as follows: lack of a tradition of interaction, insufficient understanding of each other’s problems and needs; differences in political regimes, nature of political culture, and political and legal values; passivity or even disinterest of individual African states in relations with Ukraine; lack of quality communication at various levels, etc.