Niger government decides to sever ties with Ukraine

Niger said on Tuesday it was cutting diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of supporting terrorist groups. Two days earlier, the Malian government announced a similar decision.

The Niger government has announced its intention to ask the UN Security Council to hold a special session to discuss Ukrainian “aggression.” The official representative of the Niger government made this statement on television.

How writes France 24, Niger and Mali are both ruled by military governments that recently came to power through violent coups. Both countries soon abandoned their defense agreements with France and turned to Russia for military assistance.

“The Government of the Republic of Niger, in full solidarity with the Government and people of Mali, has decided, relying on its sovereignty, to sever diplomatic relations between the Republic of Niger and Ukraine. This decision comes into force immediately,” the decree of the authorities of the African state states.

A Malian government spokesman said on Sunday that his country had broken off relations with Ukraine after a statement by a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), Andrey Yusov. The Ukrainian military spokesman allegedly said: “The rebels have received all the information they needed.” Yusov did not provide any explanation for this statement, France-24 reports.

The Niger government called the Ukrainian representative’s words outrageous and unacceptable.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Monday that Ukraine “absolutely complies with international law” and “resolutely rejects the accusations of the transitional government of Mali.” The minister added that he regretted Bamako’s “hasty” decision.