BAMAKO — Mali officially severed its diplomatic relations with Ukraine on Sunday, accusing the Ukrainian government of nurturing neo-Nazi ideologies and supporting international terrorism. This dramatic announcement was made by Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga on Malian public television, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the decision to cut ties was driven by concerns over Ukraine’s leadership and actions that he claims are destabilizing, particularly in the Sahel region. Maïga specifically criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s background as an actor and alleged that Ukrainian officials and soldiers have supported terrorist activities in northern Mali, which were particularly deadly at the end of July. “The government of Mali decides to break, with immediate effect, diplomatic relations between the Republic of Mali and Ukraine, the latter whose destinies are unfortunately entrusted to puppets confusing the international scene and the theater stage,” Maïga stated.
The Malian government spokesperson also expressed apprehensions about potential threats from Ukrainian embassies in the region, which he described as harboring “terrorists disguised as diplomats.” In response to these perceived threats, Mali has initiated urgent measures to safeguard its national stability and has referred certain statements by Ukrainian officials to judicial authorities for further action.
Maïga cited comments from Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, and Yurii Pyvovarov, Ambassador of Ukraine to Senegal, as evidence of Ukraine’s problematic actions. He accused Ukraine of choosing to align with neo-Nazi elements and international terrorists, posing a direct challenge to global efforts to combat terrorism.
In concluding his televised address, Maïga called on the international community to recognize and respond to what he described as Ukraine’s deliberate choice to support terrorism. He emphasized the need for a unified approach to address these serious allegations amidst the broader global context of fighting terrorism.