Mali cuts diplomatic ties with Ukraine after border attack

The Malian government has announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine.

This decision comes in the wake of controversial comments made by a Ukrainian official regarding a recent series of attacks that targeted Malian soldiers and mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group.

The incident that triggered this diplomatic fallout involved a violent confrontation between Tuareg rebels and Malian forces. Over the course of three days, the Tuareg rebels claimed to have killed more than 100 mercenaries and Malian soldiers.

The conflict has further destabilized the already volatile region and has drawn international attention due to the involvement of foreign mercenaries.

Andriy Yusov, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR), made statements suggesting that the Malian rebels had been provided with crucial information that enabled them to execute their operations against Russian mercenaries. According to Yusov, this intelligence was pivotal in the success of the rebels’ attacks.

In response, the Malian government has condemned Ukraine’s statements, accusing Kyiv of supporting international terrorism. Mali’s government expressed outrage, interpreting Yusov’s remarks as an endorsement of the rebels’ violent actions against both Malian forces and their Russian allies.

“The Malian government views the statements made by the Ukrainian official as an unacceptable support for international terrorism,” read a statement from Bamako. “Such comments undermine the sovereignty of our nation and the safety of our people.”

This diplomatic rift comes amid a broader context of geopolitical tension involving Russia’s Wagner Group, a private military company known for its involvement in various conflicts around the world. The group’s presence in Mali has been a point of contention, with several Western nations expressing concern over their activities in the region.

The severing of diplomatic ties between Mali and Ukraine marks a new chapter in the complex and often tumultuous relations between nations involved in the conflict.