Niger announced on Tuesday that it would immediately sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine, alleging that Kyiv has been backing “terrorist groups”.
This decision comes just two days after Mali took similar action after suffering significant losses to terrorists, which Mali has tied to Ukraine.
Niger stated that it intends to bring up Ukraine’s “aggression” for discussion at the United Nations Security Council, according to government spokesman Amadou Abdramane.
Niger and Mali are currently under military leadership after recent coups and have terminated defence agreements with France in favour of seeking military support from Russia.
“The government of the Republic of Niger, in total solidarity with the government and people of Mali, decides in complete sovereignty to sever diplomatic relations between the Republic of Niger and Ukraine with immediate effect,” Abdramane said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry stated on Monday that the country fully abides by the principles of international law, denies the allegations made by the interim government of Mali, and expresses regret over Bamako’s decision.
Three days of intense fighting near the Algerian border at a military camp in Tinzaouatene resulted in a “significant number” of deaths for the Malian army. Tuareg-led separatists claimed to have killed 84 Wagner fighters and 47 Malian soldiers.