The Ukrainian authorities expressed regret over Niger’s decision to sever diplomatic relations. Such a statement appeared on Thursday, August 8, on the official website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

«It is a shame that the authorities of Niger have decided to terminate diplomatic relations with Ukraine,» the ministry said in a statement.

The diplomats also expressed hope that Niger would refrain from further steps that could worsen the situation. In addition, it is noted that Ukraine aims to further establish relations with all African countries.

On the eve of August 7, Niger accused Ukraine of supporting terrorism. The head of the Republic decided to sever diplomatic relations with the state after the Ukrainian ambassador to Senegal, Yuriy Pivovarov, supported the separatist movement of Tuareg rebels who attacked soldiers of the Malian Defense and Security Forces in the Tinzawaten area on the border with Algeria.

Prior to that, on August 4, the Malian authorities severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, motivating the decision with information about Kiev’s support for the actions of armed terrorists in the African republic. The reason for the gap was the statement by the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine, Andrei Yusov, about the assistance to armed groups that attacked soldiers of the Malian Defense and Security Forces in the Tinzawaten area on the border with Algeria at the end of July.

On the same day, the Foreign Ministry of Burkina Faso condemned Ukraine’s support for terrorism in Mali and called on the world community to give a proper assessment of what is happening in the country. Thus, the authorities of Burkina Faso reacted to the publication of a video on the account of the Embassy of Ukraine in Senegal, which expressed clear support for the actions of terrorists in Mali.

On August 1, the French newspaper Le Monde, citing sources, noted that the terrorists, who are part of the alliance of Malian armed separatist groups CSP-DPA, came to Ukraine to undergo training there.