Ukraine has condemned Mali’s decision to cut diplomatic ties, calling it hasty and baseless. The move follows unproven claims that Kyiv played a role in clashes that resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries last month.
Mali announced on Sunday it was immediately ending relations with Ukraine. This decision came after comments from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency about the fighting in northern Mali in late July. During these clashes, Tuareg rebels claimed to have killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers, marking Wagner’s most significant defeat since its involvement in Mali began two years ago.
In response, Ukraine’s foreign ministry issued a statement expressing regret over Mali’s decision. ‘It is regrettable that Mali decided to sever relations without conducting a thorough study of the facts and circumstances of the incident and without providing any evidence of Ukraine’s involvement,’ the statement read.
The controversy was sparked by remarks from Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence, who suggested that Malian rebels had received the ‘necessary’ information to carry out the attack. However, Ukraine’s statement stopped short of confirming any direct involvement in the incident.
Mali reacted strongly, expressing ‘deep shock’ over Yusov’s comments, interpreting them as an admission of Ukraine’s involvement and condemning them as a violation of Malian sovereignty and support for international terrorism.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry countered these accusations, rejecting the allegation of supporting terrorism and viewing Mali’s decision to sever ties as unfriendly. ‘Ukraine unconditionally adheres to the norms of international law, the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries,’ the ministry emphasised, adding that Ukraine reserved the right to take necessary political and diplomatic measures in response.
This diplomatic dispute occurs as Ukraine seeks to gain broader global support, particularly in the Global South, amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite the severed ties, Oleksandr Merezhko, a senior Ukrainian lawmaker and head of the parliament’s foreign policy committee, predicted minimal impact on Ukraine’s international relations. ‘There will be no serious consequences, as there are no established relations between Mali and Ukraine today,’ Merezhko told Interfax-Ukraine news agency
The incident highlights the intricate geopolitical dynamics as Ukraine continues to fend off Russian aggression while managing its foreign relations during a period of global tensions.
Credit; Africabriefing
