Ukraine on Monday criticized Mali’s decision to sever diplomatic ties as hasty and short-sighted, stating that no evidence had been provided to support claims of Kyiv’s involvement in recent clashes that resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian mercenaries.
The West African nation announced on Sunday the immediate termination of relations with Ukraine following comments made by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency about 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 what appeared to be Wagner’s heaviest defeat since its involvement in Mali two years ago.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry expressed regret over Mali’s decision, stating, “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 in the said event.”
The diplomatic rupture was triggered by remarks from Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, who said in a televised interview that Malian rebels had received “necessary” information to conduct the attack. Ukraine’s statement, however, fell short of confirming Kyiv’s direct involvement in the incident.
Mali condemned the remarks as “subversive” and equated them to supporting international terrorism. In response, Ukraine’s foreign ministry rejected the allegation of supporting terrorism and viewed the severance of ties as an unfriendly act.
“Ukraine unconditionally adheres to the norms of international law, the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries,” the ministry stated, adding that Ukraine reserves the right to take necessary political and diplomatic measures in response.
This diplomatic spat comes at a time when Ukraine is actively seeking global support, particularly aiming to broaden its appeal in the Global South. However, Oleksandr Merezhko, a senior Ukrainian lawmaker heading the parliament’s foreign policy committee, predicted that the rupture in relations would not significantly impact Ukraine or its ties with the Global South.
“There will be no serious consequences, as there are no established relations between Mali and Ukraine today,” Merezhko was quoted as saying by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
Reuters
