The Russian Embassy in Ghana has rejected remarks by the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, describing Russia as an unreliable partner for Ghana and disputing several of his claims about Russian activities in Africa and the Ukraine war.
In a statement responding to comments published by The Diplomatic Times, the Russian Embassy said Russia had maintained a “consistent and predictable” relationship with African countries based on equality, mutual respect and non-interference.
The embassy accused the EU of using what it described as “cheap propaganda” against Russia and argued that Western sanctions were responsible for delays to some Russian investment projects in Africa.
According to the embassy, restrictions imposed by the United States, the EU and their allies have disrupted financing, logistics and payments involving Russian operators, while African businesses and financial institutions face pressure over dealings with Russia.
It said Ghana and Russia continued to discuss cooperation in trade, investment, energy and technology, adding that bilateral trade turnover had increased in the first half of 2026.
The embassy also rejected the EU envoy’s comments on Russia’s role in Africa, accusing European countries, particularly France, of contributing to instability in the Sahel.
It argued that Russia’s engagement with Africa differed from that of European powers because Moscow had no colonial history on the continent and sought what it described as mutually beneficial relations.
Russia disputes claims over Ukrainian children
The Russian Embassy strongly disputed the EU representative’s characterisation of Ukrainian children transferred to Russia during the war.
It rejected allegations that Ukrainian children had been illegally deported, describing the claims as part of an anti-Russian campaign.
The embassy said Ukraine had provided Russia with a list of 339 children allegedly in Russian territory. It claimed that about half of the cases were no longer applicable because some children had not been displaced, had left Russia, declined to return to Ukraine or had reached adulthood.
It maintained that Russia had moved children from conflict zones to protect them and reunite families, and said mechanisms were in place to facilitate their return with the involvement of intermediaries including the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The embassy also said Russia had provided Ukraine with a list of 20 children who it believed had been separated from their parents and were in Ukraine or Europe, but claimed none had been returned.
Embassy rejects alleged recruitment of Ghanaians
The statement also dismissed the EU ambassador’s concerns about the alleged illegal recruitment of Ghanaian citizens to fight for Russia.
The embassy acknowledged that Russian law allows foreign nationals to serve in the Russian military on a contractual basis, but denied that Russia deliberately recruits Africans through deceptive schemes.
It accused Western countries of similarly facilitating the participation of foreign nationals in the war in Ukraine.
The embassy further defended Russia’s approach to patriotic education, rejecting criticism that children in Russia were being raised in a spirit of patriotism.
It accused the EU of promoting what it described as “pseudo-liberal ideas” and gender ideology among children, while arguing that Russia had the right to teach young people to respect their country, history and traditions.
The Russian Embassy concluded by rejecting the characterisation of Russia as an unreliable partner and said Moscow would continue to offer Ghana what it called “additional opportunities” for cooperation without dictating terms.