Russian President Vladimir Putin has selected Vsevolod Tkachenko as Russia’s new ambassador to Kenya. With over 40 years in diplomacy, Tkachenko is fluent in Kiswahili, a language spoken widely in Kenya and Tanzania. This appointment signals Moscow’s increasing focus on Kenya.
Earlier, Tkachenko was designated as the new envoy to Ethiopia and the African Union, according to a June Russian State media report. However, a recent update reveals that he will also serve as Russia’s permanent representative to the UN in Nairobi, taking over from Dmitry Maksimychev, who has held the role since 2018.
Before this appointment, Tkachenko directed the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Africa Department starting in 2020. His diplomatic career began in East Africa during the 1980s with a posting in Kampala.
This move highlights Moscow’s effort to enhance relations with African countries amid Western criticism. Although Kenya initially condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has since supported peaceful resolutions and backed the African Union’s mediation efforts.
Also read: German MP Cautions Against U.S. Missile Deployment
