Niger and Mali simultaneously cut ties with Ukraine

Abuja [Nigeria], August 7: The Niger government announced on August 6 that it was severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine with "immediate effect" to show solidarity with neighboring Mali .
The decision came after heavy losses suffered by the Malian army in late July by separatist forces, which they partly blamed on Ukraine, according to AFP.
Tuareg-led separatists said they had killed 84 fighters from Russia's Wagner paramilitary group and 47 Malian soldiers . The Malian army admitted it had suffered "a large number" of casualties in the fighting but did not release figures.
Niger said it would ask the UN Security Council to discuss Ukraine 's actions , government spokesman Amadou Abdramane said on television.
Niger and Mali are both run by military governments following recent coups. The two countries subsequently tore up defense agreements with France and turned to Russia for military assistance.
"The Government of the Republic of Niger, in full solidarity with the government and people of Mali, has decided to sever diplomatic relations between the Republic of Niger and Ukraine with immediate effect," Abdramane said.
Mali government spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga said on August 4 that Mali had severed ties with Ukraine following statements by the spokesman for the Ukrainian military intelligence service (HUR) Andriy Yusov.
"The rebels have received all the necessary information they need," Mr Yusov was quoted by state media as saying, without elaborating.
"The Government of the Republic of Niger was shocked and outraged to learn of the subversive and unacceptable statements of Mr. Andriy Yusov," Mr. Abdramane said.
Earlier this week, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said Kyiv "unconditionally adheres to the norms of international law " and "categorically rejects the accusations of the transitional government of Mali." Ukraine added that it regretted Mali's "hasty" decision.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper