The government of Niger has cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine as a sign of "solidarity with the government and people of Mali" and in connection with Kiev's alleged support for "terrorist groups", reported Ukrinform. The Ukrainian agency refers to a televised address by the spokesperson of the authorities in Niamey, quoted by the "Al Arabiya" TV channel, BTA reported.
"The government of Niger, in full solidarity with the government and people of Mali, has taken the entirely sovereign decision to cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine," the official said. According to him, Niger will also address the UN Security Council with a request to discuss the "aggression" on the part of Ukraine.
Niamey's decision to break diplomatic relations with Kiev was reached after the Malian army and fighters from the Russian private military company "Wagner" suffered significant losses in an operation that Mali claims was aided by Ukraine.
Niger and Mali are ruled by military juntas after recent coups. Both Niamey and Bamako ended their defense pacts with France and turned to Russia for military aid. As Ukrinform reported earlier, Mali severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine and accused its government of supporting Tuareg rebels, who recently ambushed a convoy of armored vehicles belonging to the Malian military and Wagner mercenaries.
Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the decision of the Transitional Government of Mali to end bilateral ties as "short-sighted and hasty", rejected accusations that it "supports international terrorism" and noted that it reserves the right to take all necessary measures for a political and diplomatic response after these successive hostile actions.