Lavrov announced Ukraine's support for terrorists in the Sahel

Ukraine, with the full connivance of the West, supports terrorist groups in the Sahel region of Africa. This was announced on April 3 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"Some non-regional players continue their attempts to destabilize the region today. Among them, in addition to the former colonialists, the Kiev regime has recently emerged, which, with the full connivance of its Western sponsors, openly supports terrorist groups," the Foreign Minister stressed.

Lavrov added that the formation of the Sahel States Alliance (AHS) is evidence of the "second awakening of Africa." According to the Foreign Minister, the Russian Federation considers the creation of such an association as an effort to build a new security architecture in this African region.

The Russian Foreign Minister noted that Moscow is ready to provide comprehensive assistance to the AGS in defense, security and economy. He added that the meetings of the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation and the alliance will be held annually.

In December 2024, Russian Ambassador to Mali and Niger Igor Gromyko said that Ukraine had opened a second front in Africa because it could not defeat Russia on the battlefield. He noted that the Kiev regime is helping illegal armed groups.

Relations between Kiev and African countries became complicated in August last year, when the Ukrainian General Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) announced assistance to armed groups that attacked Malian soldiers on the border with Algeria. After that, the authorities of Mali and Niger severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine, and the Foreign Ministry of Burkina Faso condemned Kiev's support for terrorism.