In a farewell interview, Ukraine’s outgoing ambassador to South Africa, Liubov Abravitova, has expressed hope that Pretoria and other world capitals will intensify efforts to end the ongoing conflict with Russia, specifically urging a role in repatriating prisoners of war and imposing sanctions.
Her comments come as global leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly, where the Russia-Ukraine conflict is expected to be a central issue. Ambassador Abravitova is returning to Ukraine after concluding her diplomatic mission in South Africa.
Reflecting on the diplomatic week, Abravitova described the UN meeting as a critical test for the international body. “This is a big challenge for the United Nations itself to prove again its existence and to prove that it can be the mechanism that all the countries will be following to make peace,” she stated.
She noted that the UN has been a vital platform to address Russian aggression for over a decade but pointed to the full-scale invasion in 2022 as evidence of a systemic “failure.” The General Assembly, she said, presents “yet another opportunity for us to make it work,” adding she hopes engagements will be fruitful and bring peace to the Ukrainian people.
When asked to reflect on her tenure, the ambassador highlighted a “renaissance” in Ukraine’s relations with Sub-Saharan Africa, marked by the opening of new diplomatic missions across the region. She emphasized the importance of building “win-win collaboration” and diversifying bilateral engagements for sustainable development and peace.
Abravitova expressed deep appreciation for the solidarity shown by the people of South Africa. However, she outlined specific areas where she hopes the South African government will continue to engage.
“I hope that South Africa will continue to play the role in bringing the children of Ukraine back from Russian captivity, the role to bring prisoners of war back to Ukraine,” Abravitova said. She also stressed the need to advance relations in trade and economic sectors for mutual benefit.
The ambassador’s departure coincides with a period of intensified Ukrainian diplomacy in Africa, as the nation seeks to bolster international support for its sovereignty and for measures against Russia.