The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, has commented on Mali’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine, according to ‘African Initiative,’ a media outlet with close ties to Moscow,
“Ms. Zakharova expressed Russia’s support for the Malian government’s
decision,” African Initiative reports, quoting the spokeswoman directly as saying: “Kiev’s support for terrorist groups in northern Mali comes as no surprise at all.”
According to the same source, Ms Zakharova drew a parallel between Ukraine’s actions in Mali and on Russian territory. “Ukraine continues to use terrorist methods on the territory of the Russian Federation, committing sabotage, political assassinations and regularly bombing civilian targets.”
The spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, Andriy
Yusov, recently claimed Ukrainian involvement in an attack on Malian
defence and security forces in Tinzaouatene, northern Mali. These
remarks were described as “cowardly, treacherous and barbaric” by the
Malian government, which highlighted the loss of life and material
damage caused.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, also openly supported these statements, unequivocally displaying his country’s support for “international terrorism, particularly in Mali,” according to the transitional authorities.
In a press statement, the Malian government expressed its “profound astonishment” at these statements, which were neither denied nor condemned by the Ukrainian authorities.
The Transitional Government of Mali denounced these acts as a “flagrant violation of international law” and a blatant attack on Malian sovereignty. It pointed out that these actions went “beyond foreign interference” and constituted “official support for terrorism in Africa.”
In response, Mali took drastic measures, including “the immediate severance of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Mali and Ukraine.”
The transitional authorities also decided to take legal action against Mr. Yusov and Mr. Pyvovarov for “acts of terrorism and glorification of terrorism.”
They suggested that “preventive measures could be taken to avoid any destabilisation of Mali from African states hosting Ukrainian embassies.”
In addition, a formal alert will be sent to international bodies and States supporting Ukraine, considering this “support to be support for terrorism,” according to the press statement.
After Mali, Niger has also severed relations with Ukraine, accused of supporting international terrorism. This decision comes after Ukrainian officials admitted that Kiev had supported the CSP rebels during the clashes in Tinzaouatene at the end of July.
Faced with these accusations, Ukraine firmly refuted Bamako’s
allegations, denying any support for “international terrorism.”
AC/fss/GIK/APA