Ukraine resolutely rejects baseless accusations by the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger of allegedly supporting illegal armed groups and interfering in the internal affairs of the Sahel countries. The Ukrainian side has repeatedly denied such accusations. They have been raised from time to time in previous years and are being raised again recently, most notably during the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly in September 2026. We warn against new leaks of information on this issue and draw attention to the fact that no reliable evidence has been provided to substantiate these allegations since the specified countries severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Ukraine respects the sovereignty of the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger, the right of their peoples to independently determine their future and the will of these countries to ensure the security of their citizens. These principles are universal and indivisible. Ukraine's position is based on them: in opposing Russian aggression, our country also defends its right to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is worth noting that against Ukraine they use narratives that are consistent with the key theses of Russian propaganda. These theses are aimed at undermining trust in our country and weakening its relations with African partners. Ukraine consistently advocates that the security challenges in the region be assessed on the basis of facts, and not on the basis of politically motivated accusations. At the same time, the international community must respond appropriately to reports about the activities of Russian military structures in the Sahel countries - in particular, about their role in destabilizing the region and possible violations of human rights. Ukraine has no colonial past in Africa. It builds relations with African countries on the basis of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs. As a founding state of the United Nations, Ukraine supported the principles of self-determination of peoples and decolonization.

Ukraine resolutely rejects baseless accusations by the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger of allegedly supporting illegal armed groups and interfering in the internal affairs of the Sahel countries. The Ukrainian side has repeatedly denied such accusations. They have been raised from time to time in previous years and are being raised again recently, most notably during the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly in September 2026. We warn against new leaks of information on this issue and draw attention to the fact that no reliable evidence has been provided to substantiate these allegations since the specified countries severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine. Ukraine respects the sovereignty of the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger, the right of their peoples to independently determine their future and the will of these countries to ensure the security of their citizens. These principles are universal and indivisible. Ukraine's position is based on them: in opposing Russian aggression, our country also defends its right to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is worth noting that against Ukraine they use narratives that are consistent with the key theses of Russian propaganda. These theses are aimed at undermining trust in our country and weakening its relations with African partners. Ukraine consistently advocates that the security challenges in the region be assessed on the basis of facts, and not on the basis of politically motivated accusations. At the same time, the international community must respond appropriately to reports about the activities of Russian military structures in the Sahel countries - in particular, about their role in destabilizing the region and possible violations of human rights. Ukraine has no colonial past in Africa. It builds relations with African countries on the basis of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs. As a founding state of the United Nations, Ukraine supported the principles of self-determination of peoples and decolonization.