Ukraine has asked its peacekeepers to return home and join the ongoing war against Russia.
“The President urges Ukrainian soldiers to withdraw from peacekeeping operations together with the equipment to strengthen the Ukrainian army standing against Russian aggression,” wrote Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ukrainian parliament.Â
The UN, which has been notified of Ukraine’s request, has responded positively, according to several sources.Â
250 peacekeepers are set to withdraw from Monusco, the UN mission for the stabilisation of the DRC, which is the largest Ukrainian contingent in the peacekeeping missions.
The withdrawal will also include the helicopters and equipment used in the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the UN, Ukraine also has a military presence in other peace missions around the world, including 16 troops in South Sudan, 12 in Mali, 5 in Cyprus, 4 in Abyei in Sudan, and 3 in Kosovo.
Source: theeastafrican.co.ke