Kyiv, Ukraine – On Monday, August 5, Ukraine criticized Mali’s decision to sever diplomatic ties, labeling the move as “short-sighted and hasty.” The Ukrainian government expressed dismay over Mali’s lack of evidence implicating Ukraine in the recent clashes that resulted in the deaths of Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner mercenaries.
The announcement from Mali came on Sunday, following statements from Ukraine’s military spy agency regarding the late July conflict in northern Mali. Tuareg rebels claimed responsibility for the incident, reporting that they had killed at least 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. This defeat is considered the most significant setback for the Wagner Group since they began supporting Mali’s military authorities against insurgent groups two years ago.
“Regrettably, Mali decided to sever relations without thoroughly examining the facts and circumstances of the incident and without providing any evidence of Ukraine’s involvement,” stated the Ukrainian foreign ministry in response to the diplomatic rift.
After the clashes, Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence, made comments on television suggesting that Malian rebels had received the “necessary” information to conduct the attack. However, Ukraine’s official statement did not confirm any involvement in the incident.
Mali, interpreting these remarks as an admission of Ukraine’s involvement, expressed “deep shock” and condemned the statements as violations of its sovereignty, equating them to support for international terrorism. This strong reaction led to Mali’s decision to terminate diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
Over the weekend, Senegal also became involved, summoning Ukraine’s ambassador, Yurii Pyvovarov, over a since-deleted video on the Ukrainian embassy’s Facebook page that allegedly showed support for the attack. The video added to the tensions, prompting accusations against Kyiv.
The accusations against Ukraine
occur amid growing strains between the West and several Sahel nations affected by military coups. In recent years, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have experienced military takeovers, leading to the expulsion of French and U.S. forces and a shift towards Russia’s mercenary units for security assistance.
The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel region, as international alliances shift and accusations of external involvement in local conflicts intensify. As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely, recognizing the potential implications for regional stability and international relations
