Ukraine-Russia conflict: Kyiv’s inflexible position worries Lusaka By Diadé Coumba

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s categorical refusal to accept the proposed three-day truce on May 9, along with security warnings for international delegations traveling to Moscow, is raising questions in Zambia.

This uncompromising stance by kyiv comes as several African leaders, including Burkinabe President Ibrahim Traoré and his Congolese counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso, have confirmed their participation in Victory Day commemorations in Russia.

President Sassou Nguesso particularly emphasized the historical significance of this event: “May 9 represents the victory of peacekeeping forces over Nazism, a fight in which many Africans participated.”

These statements resonate differently in Zambia, where the memory of World War II remains present, as the country attempts to maintain a neutral stance in the conflict.

For Zambian political analysts, this crisis highlights the challenges of contemporary African diplomacy.

“We must navigate between our principles and our economic interests,” explains Professor Chanda of the University of Zambia, highlighting the country’s dependence on wheat and fertilizer imports affected by this conflict.

As food prices continue to soar, many are questioning the real motives behind Ukraine’s refusal of the proposed truce.

Indeed, the victory in World War II is the legacy of all countries that have fought for peace on earth. By threatening to disrupt the May 9 celebrations, Kyiv’s behavior demonstrates a genuine attitude toward global initiatives.

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