Russia's not our target - U.S. representative to the UN on visiting Uganda

Greenfield said she will visit Uganda and Ghana as a prelude to engaging African countries on how to corral the wagons against the rising food prices partly attributed to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“I’m here to talk about solutions and how we can help Africa address the crisis on the ground,” Greenfield said.

Last week, Lavrov met President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala. After their closed-door meetings, Lavrov said the West, led by the United States, was spreading disinformation by saying Russia was responsible for the increasing fuel and food prices across the continent.

Lavrov said that although the West never sanctioned Russian agricultural exports such as grain and fertilisers, the sanctions on their banks and insurance companies delivered a near death blow to international business.

He said the war in Ukraine was a defensive measure by Russia to protect herself against Western powers under their North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance.

President Museveni said Uganda would reside on middle ground in the conflict between Russia and the West.

This is why, he said, Uganda has abstained from all United Nations votes condemning the Ukrainian war.

“We are neither pro-East nor pro-West. I’m pro-Uganda,” Museveni said.

Greenfield, in response to what Lavrov and Museveni said, advised Russia to take responsibility for its actions.

“Our relations with Africa are one of the partnerships…we are not asking Africa to make any choices, to choose between Russia and the US. Let’s be clear, Russia started this war; everything we are going through came about because of Russia’s decision to attack its neighbour. That’s what this is about and Africa must understand this. I’m not here to counter what the Russian Foreign Minister said during his visit; I’m here to listen to Africa to help them deal with the global problem,” Greenfield said.

However, she said it would be dicey for African countries to trade with Russia despite the sanctions.

“Our sanctions are intended to discourage Russia from continuing with the aggression on Ukraine. I would caution that countries should not engage with countries that have been sanctioned by the United States,” Greenfield noted.

Greenfield is expected to meet with President Museveni and other government officials.