Mali breaking off diplomatic relations with Ukraine, FM Kuleba goes to Africa

MOSCOW. Aug 5 (Interfax) - Bamako accuses Ukraine of "supporting international terrorism" and "violating the Republic of Mali's sovereignty," Ukrainian media quoted a statement issued by the African country's transitional government as saying on Sunday.

"The Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali has learned with deep shock of subversive remarks made by Mr. Andrei Yusov [...]. The Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman admitted Ukraine's involvement in a cowardly, treacherous and barbaric attack by armed terrorist groups resulting in the deaths of members of the Malian Defense and Security Forces," the statement said.

"Ukrainian Ambassador to Senegal Yury Pivovarov openly and unambiguously stated his country's support for international terrorism, especially in Mali," it said.

"The actions undertaken by the Ukrainian authorities violate Mali's sovereignty [...] and constitute a clear aggression against Mali and support for international terrorism in flagrant violation of international law," it said.

The Malian transitional government has decided to "immediately sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine," government spokesman Col. Abdoulaye Maiga said, as Ukrainian media reported, citing Le Figaro.

Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Mali were established on November 5, 1992, and Ukrainian citizens' interests in the country are represented by the Ukrainian embassy in Algeria.

In this context, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba would visit Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius on August 4-8.

Kuleba will hold talks in Lilongwe (Malawi), Lusaka (Zambia) and Port Louis (Mauritius) with the leadership of these countries, foreign ministers, and with members of their business and cultural communities, it said.

In Malawi, the parties will discuss Ukraine's role in ensuring food security, in particular, sharing experience and technology in agriculture and the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program.

In Zambia, Kuleba will discuss advancing bilateral relations, as well as political dialogue and cooperation as part of international organizations.

The meetings in Mauritius will focus on drawing investment and Mauritian businesses' involvement in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.