Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responds to Niger's decision to cut diplomatic ties

The Ministry says it had taken into account the decision of the Republic of Niger to break off diplomatic relations with Ukraine and rejected accusations of allegedly "support for international terrorism, violation of the UN Charter and international law."

"We consider that such a decision is a gesture of «solidarity» with those who have chosen the path of rapprochement with the terrorist state, the Russian Federation, which for more than two years has been waging an unprovoked full-scale aggressive war against Ukraine, using large-scale terror against our state, its population and civil infrastructure, committing numerous war crimes against the Ukrainian people, destabilizing the international security and political situation, spreading chaos and confrontation in all corners of the world, including the African continent," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry writes.

At the same time, the Foreign Ministry notes that Ukraine is ready to continue building mutually beneficial relations with all African countries based on equality, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries within internationally recognized borders, and compliance with the UN Charter.

Attack on Wagnerians in Mali

On July 27, Tuareg members of the CSP-PSD movement posted photos and videos of a defeated convoy of mercenaries from the private military company Wagner in Mali. It turned out that the fighting took place on July 25 and 26 in the town of Tinzaouaten near the Malian border with Algeria.

Read more about this attack and who the Tuareg are in the RBC-Ukraine article.

Following these events, Mali's military junta decided to break off diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Later, the Republic of Niger took the same step.