Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds to Mali's decision to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine
Photo: Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers Mali's decision to sever diplomatic relations with our country to be short-sighted and hasty.
"The decision of the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine is deemed short-sighted and hasty, given that Ukraine, as a victim of unprovoked large-scale armed aggression by Russia, is striving, with the support of the international community, to restore justice and respect for international law. This law is meant to protect all countries, including African ones, from threats to their sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity," the statement reads.
The Ministry emphasized that Ukraine adheres unconditionally to international law, the inviolability of sovereignty, and territorial integrity of other countries, and resolutely rejects the Transitional Government of Mali's accusations of supposedly "supporting international terrorism."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded that Ukraine, in the 20th century as one of the founders of the United Nations, actively supported the right of African peoples to independence and decolonization, including that of the Republic of Mali.
"In contrast, Russia, continuing its unprovoked large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, is undermining the architecture of international security and violating the goals and principles of the UN Charter, which specifically guarantee the right of African countries to a free future," the Ministry underscored.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that Ukraine is recognized in Africa as a significant contributor to regional security. Its "blue helmet" contingent has made substantial contributions to various UN peacekeeping operations, including those in Mali from 2019 to 2022.
"It is regrettable that the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali decided to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine without conducting a thorough examination of the facts and circumstances of the incident in northern Mali, and without providing any evidence of Ukraine’s involvement in the said event," the Ministry added.
Furthermore, the Ministry emphasized that the role of Russian-controlled military structures, including Wagner, in employing terrorist methods and being directly involved in numerous war crimes, civilian killings, and cruel treatment of prisoners of war in both Ukraine and African countries, is being ignored.
"Ukraine reserves the right to take all necessary political and diplomatic measures in response to the unfriendly actions of the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali," the Ministry concluded.
What preceded
Today, it was revealed that the military junta of Mali has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Bamako accuses Kyiv of supporting the actions of Tuareg rebels, who recently defeated a column of Malian military and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries.
The Malian side claims that Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, allegedly admitted Kyiv's role in the heavy defeat suffered by Mali's armed forces and Russian Wagner mercenaries against the Tuaregs from July 25-27. Bamako, which is friendly to Moscow, has been using Wagner Group mercenaries to bolster its army.
The Malian junta also believes that Ukraine's ambassador to Senegal, Yurii Pyvovarov, exhibited "support for international terrorism by the country, particularly in Mali" in his comments.
According to Bamako, this is seen as Ukraine's interference in Mali's internal affairs.
