Niger Republic announced Tuesday it had cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine over statements suggesting Ukrainian support for groups involved in July’s deadly fighting in Mali.
The cut follows Mali’s decision on Sunday to sever relations with Kyiv after comments from Ukraine’s military spy agency about the conflict, where Tuareg rebels claimed they killed at least 84 Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers, marking Wagner’s heaviest defeat in two years.
In a televised address, spokesperson Abdourahamane Amadou said Niger acted in solidarity with Mali by cutting ties with Ukraine immediately.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry was unavailable for comment due to the late hour, Reuters reports.
On Monday, Ukraine condemned Mali’s decision as short-sighted and rejected allegations of supporting international terrorism.
The dispute arose from televised remarks by Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military spy agency, who said Malian rebels received “necessary” information for the attack.
Niger, Mali, and other West African nations also condemned comments from Ukraine’s ambassador to Senegal, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, and Liberia.
Senegal’s foreign minister summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Yurii Pyvovarov over a Facebook video where Pyvovarov expressed support for the Mali attack.
This diplomatic rift comes as Ukraine seeks global support, particularly in the Global South.
