President William Ruto on Sunday reaffirmed Kenya’s dedication to deepening diplomatic and economic partnerships during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Seville, Spain.

The high-level engagement took place on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), part of Ruto’s official tour of Spain and the United Kingdom.

The talks focused on broadening cooperation between Nairobi and Kyiv across critical sectors including education, food security, trade, and digital innovation.

“Kenya is committed to strengthening its relationship with Ukraine in a way that benefits both nations,” President Ruto stated, highlighting a shared vision for development-driven diplomacy.

On education, the president underscored Kenya’s interest in increasing opportunities for students through academic exchange and scholarship frameworks. “Expanding access to quality education remains a priority, and we welcome Ukraine’s readiness to support our students,” he said.

Food security featured prominently in the conversation, with Ruto proposing enhanced collaboration to address regional shortages. He pointed to Kenya’s strategic geographic position as a potential distribution hub for agricultural commodities from Ukraine.

“There’s great potential in leveraging our location to support regional food systems, and we look forward to working closely with Ukraine in this regard,” he added.

The two leaders also explored opportunities in the digital economy and trade. Ruto said both countries could benefit from strengthened ties in ICT and commerce, positioning the partnership as a catalyst for innovation and inclusive growth.

Beyond bilateral cooperation, Ruto and Shmyhal pledged to uphold international peace and stability through joint efforts in multilateral diplomacy. The president reiterated Kenya’s alignment with the UN Charter and its support for a rules-based global order.

“Our shared commitment to global peace, conflict resolution, and international cooperation remains firm,” he said.

The meeting forms part of President Ruto’s broader European mission aimed at unlocking investment opportunities and expanding Kenya’s global footprint. His next stop is London, where he is expected to formalize the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership 2025–2030.

While in Seville, Ruto is also scheduled to co-chair a key session on climate resilience and youth empowerment alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI, reflecting Kenya’s growing role in advancing sustainable development on the international stage.