Kenyan U.N. Ambassador Calls Out Putin’s Recognition Of Ukrainian Regions’ Independence With African Colonialism Comparison [Watch]

Kenyan ambassador to the U.N. Martin Kimani gave a speech to the U.N. Security Council on Monday that has since made headlines around the world for his comparison of the situation between Ukraine and Russia to the historic scramble for Africa, colonization, and the aftermath.

In a speech condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Russia was recognizing two regions in Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk, as independent regions, Ambassador Kimani acknowledged serious concerns over security in the region and clarified that Russia has ignored ongoing diplomatic solutions in order to advance its agenda, before comparing the situation to the one that many African nations faced for several years due to colonialism.

Citing the drawing of borders in African countries which were made by European powers that had “no regard for the ancient nations that they cleaved apart,” Kimani compared those countries to the claims made by Putin that his reason for intervention in Ukraine stems from the desires of certain people there who wish to be reunited with Russia, stating that while it might be understandable for certain people to want to be integrated with Russia because of deep political, historical, linguistic and ethnic relationships, such desire should not be “pursued by force.”

Kimani stated that countries of Africa have chosen to still be deeply connected to one another through “continental political, economic, and legal integration, rather than form nations that looked ever backwards into history with a dangerous nostalgia, we choose to look forward.”

As far as Russia is concerned, he warned the country not to take a step backward.

“We must complete our recovery from the embers of dead empires in a way that does not plunge us back into new forms of domination and oppression,” he said.

Kimani’s speech went on to receive wide praise, including from journalist Fareed Zakaria on CNN with Don Lemon, who praised it as “the best response to Vladimir Putin.” However, not everyone was in agreement, with Al Jazeera writer Patrich Gathara criticizing it for embracing “the colonial legacy in Africa.”

Tensions have continued to escalate within the region, as troops have moved into the territories and a summit between Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden later called off.