07 Oct 2024

Ukraine Ambassador to Botswana, Ms Liubov Abravitova, paid a farewell courtesy call on President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi yesterday.

Ms Abravitova has been managing diplomatic relations from South Africa. However, with the establishment  of a new mission in Botswana, Ukraine will now send a resident ambassador to strengthen ties between the two countries.

President Masisi expressed  appreciation for Ms Abravitova’s efforts in enhancing relations between Botswana and Ukraine. He lauded Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his steadfast and principled stance in defending the nation’s territory and sovereignty against external threats.

“That is what presidents do. We all pledge to respect the constitution which demands that the sovereignty of a nation state be protected by the President who is the commander-in-chief,” he said.

Moreover, President Masisi commended the resilience of the Ukrainian people in their fight to protect their homeland. He reaffirmed Botswana’s support for President Zelenskyy’s peace plan for Ukraine, emphasising the country’s commitment to advocating for an end to hostilities and fostering dialogue to resolve ongoing challenges.

“The enormity of destruction to the infrastructure, and more than anything else, human life is immeasurable,” he said.

Dr Masisi assured Ms Abravitova that her successor would equally be embraced in the same spirit, to make their term successful. He said that Botswana welcomed the newly opened Ukraine mission in Botswana, and that there was also a desire to expand engagements between the two countries.

Ms Abravitova for her part, expressed gratitude to Botswana for embracing Ukraine in the three years of her tenure, and that she was proud that the roadmap she presented on her arrival was fully implemented.

“I hope that my successor will continue to support this warm friendship between our countries, and let me also express gratitude to Botswana for supporting Ukraine in its fight for its sovereignty and territory,” she said.

Ms Abravitova said that recently, Botswana joined the final declaration of the 5th Summit in Switzerland, something she said Ukraine expressed gratitude for, and that they were also looking forward to Botswana participating in all the processes that would happen to bring justice to Ukraine. ENDS