Ukrainian Foreign Ministry rejects Mali's accusations of supporting int'l terrorism

MOSCOW. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Kiev has rejected the Malian Transitional Government's allegations that Ukraine supports international terrorism, Ukrainian media quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.

The ministry described the Malian Transitional Government's decision to sever diplomatic relations with Ukraine as "short-sighted and hasty."

"Ukraine is known in Africa as an important contributor to ensuring regional security. Its contingent of 'blue helmets' made a significant contribution to the implementation of a number of peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the UN, in particular from 2019 to 2022 - as part of the UN Missions in Mali," it said.

"Ukraine reserves the right to take all necessary political and diplomatic measures in response to unfriendly actions of the Transitional Government of the Republic of Mali," it said.

A number of African media outlets reported earlier that Ukrainian instructors trained opponents of the Malian Transitional Government, which the country qualified as support for international terrorism.