Videos purportedly show dozens of Russia's Wagner group fighters dead in Mali after battling Taureg rebels
CBSJUL 26 2024
Mali Breaks Off Diplomatic Ties with Ukraine
Above: Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin (R) greets Malian Pres. Assimi Goita on July 29, 2023, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Image copyright: Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Ukraine's involvement in a cowardly, treacherous, and brutal terrorist attack in July is not only deplorable, it's an instance of unacceptable foreign interference in Mali's domestic affairs. Bamako can't maintain diplomatic relations with aggressors who actively support terrorist groups in the region.
Narrative B
Ukraine provides strategic intelligence to Tuareg fighters to combat Russian war criminals perpetrating war crimes and widespread looting in northern Mali. Moscow also extracts Malian resources to fund its war against Ukraine; Kyiv is within its rights to target Russian forces and defend its sovereignty.