In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has accused Ukraine of initiating a “second front” in Africa, following recent diplomatic severances by Mali and Niger.
The accusations come in the wake of a deadly attack in Mali attributed to Tuareg-led separatists, which resulted in significant casualties among Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers.
On Wednesday, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, condemned Ukraine’s actions, alleging that Kyiv’s involvement in Africa is a strategic move after failing to achieve battlefield victories against Russia.
Zakharova claimed that the Ukrainian government, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, is “pandering to terrorist groups” in countries friendly to Moscow.
The conflict in Mali has been particularly contentious. Last month, Tuareg separatists claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 84 fighters from the Russian Wagner mercenary group and 47 Malian soldiers.
The attack has heightened tensions between the Malian government and Ukraine, with accusations of Ukrainian involvement coming to the forefront.
Mali’s government announced on August 5 that it was severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine, citing an admission by Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency.
Yusov’s remarks, made on Ukrainian television, suggested that the rebels had received vital information from Ukraine, enabling their operation against Russian forces.
Malian government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga expressed shock at Yusov’s comments, labeling the attack as “cowardly, treacherous, and barbaric.”
In a related development, Niger, which also has a military government that recently distanced itself from France and aligned more closely with Russia, announced on Tuesday that it too was cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
Niger’s government has called for a UN Security Council debate on what it describes as Ukraine’s “aggression” in the region.
Both Mali and Niger have turned to Russia for military support in the wake of their respective coups and the subsequent severing of defense agreements with France.
The alliance with Russia has further strained relations with Western countries, including Ukraine, which has been actively opposing Russian actions in the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responded to the accusations by affirming its commitment to international law and rejecting the claims made by Mali’s transitional government.
The ministry expressed regret over Bamako’s “hasty” decision to sever ties, emphasizing that Ukraine’s involvement in Africa is non-existent and that the accusations lack merit.
As the diplomatic fallout continues, the international community remains divided on the issue.
The accusations against Ukraine and the subsequent actions by Mali and Niger highlight the growing geopolitical complexities in Africa, where power dynamics and alliances are shifting rapidly amidst ongoing conflicts.
The situation underscores the broader impact of global conflicts on regional politics, as nations navigate their alliances and adversaries in an increasingly polarized world.