Russia has agreed to stop recruiting Kenyan citizens to fight with its army in Ukraine, Kenya's foreign minister said on Monday after talks with his Russian counterpart in Moscow.

More than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries are believed to be fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, according to Ukraine's estimates in February.

Kenya's intelligence services estimate that more than 1,000 Kenyans have been sent to fight, according to a report seen by AFP.

"We have now agreed that Kenyans shall not be enlisted," Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi told reporters, sitting alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

'Concern among Kenyans'

Lavrov did not mention the agreement in his remarks to the media but said the Russian defence ministry was looking into cases that had caused "concern among our Kenyan friends."

"Russia is not forcing anyone to enlist. Just as in the case of participation in the special military operation, volunteers join this operation in full compliance with Russian law," Lavrov said.