Mali's decision is "short-sighted and hasty", writes Ukraine's Foreign Ministry in a statement criticizing Russia's military presence in Africa.
Mali's military junta announced its decision on Sunday, referring to a statement from a spokesperson for Ukraine's intelligence service GUR. Mali believes that the statement implies that Kiev may have been indirectly involved in the losses suffered by the Russian mercenary group Wagner and Malian soldiers in battles against separatists and jihadists.
A separatist movement in northern Mali claimed last week that over 80 fighters from the Russian mercenary group Wagner and around 50 Malian soldiers were killed in intense fighting at the end of July. The battles have been described as an ambush led by both Tuareg and jihadists.
The Wagner group has been present in Mali since the end of 2021, following a military coup.
