❗️Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the decision of the Republic of Mali to sever diplomatic ties with Ukraine

The decision of the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine is short-sighted and hasty, given that Ukraine, as a victim of unprovoked full-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation, is making every effort, with the support of the world community, to restore justice and respect for international law, which is designed to protect all countries of the world, in particular African countries , from encroachments on their sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

▪️Ukraine unconditionally adheres to the norms of international law, the inviolability of sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries and resolutely rejects the accusations of the Transitional Government of Mali of alleged "Ukraine's support of international terrorism".

▪️We remind you that in the 20th century Ukraine, being one of the founders of the United Nations, actively supported the right of African peoples to independence and decolonization, including the Republic of Mali.

▪️On the contrary, the Russian Federation, continuing its unprovoked full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, destroys the architecture of international security, violates the Goals and Principles of the UN Charter, which in particular guarantee the right of African countries to a free future.
Ukraine is known in Africa as an important contributor to ensuring regional security. Its contingent of "blue helmets" made a significant contribution to the implementation of a number of peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the UN, in particular from 2019 to 2022 — as part of the UN Missions in Mali.

▪️It is unfortunate that the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali decided to break diplomatic relations with Ukraine without conducting a thorough study of the facts and circumstances of the incident in the north of Mali, as well as without providing any evidence of Ukraine's involvement in the said event.
At the same time, it is ignored that military structures under the control of the Kremlin, in particular "Wagner", use terrorist methods and are directly involved in numerous war crimes, killings of civilians and cruel treatment of prisoners of war both in Ukraine and in African countries.

▪️Ukraine reserves the right to take all necessary measures of political and diplomatic response in response to the unfriendly actions of the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali.