Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused France and other Western countries of involving Ukrainian military personnel in alleged terrorist activities and sabotage in Mali and other Sahel countries, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Speaking at a meeting with heads of leading African media outlets in Moscow on October 27, Lavrov alleged that Western capitals, including Paris, were using Ukrainian personnel to carry out operations intended to undermine relations between African countries and Russia.
Lavrov claimed that Ukrainian militants and their Western backers were plotting sabotage and terrorist activities in countries strengthening ties with Moscow. He did not publicly provide evidence to substantiate the allegations during the meeting.
The accusations come amid strained relations between Mali and Ukraine. Mali severed diplomatic relations with Kyiv in August 2024 after accusing Ukraine of supporting armed groups involved in attacks against Malian forces. Ukraine rejected Mali’s interpretation of the events.
