Mali has condemned the statement of the Swedish Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Johan Forssell, about the country's removal from the strategy of assistance to Mali because of the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Bamako and Kiev. The authorities of the African country consider the words of the Swedish minister disparaging, following the government communiqué at the disposal of Sputnik.
"The government [of Mali] strongly condemns the disparaging remarks made by Mr. Johan Forssell. It is strange that he is desperately trying to justify the Ukrainian authorities, accomplices of international terrorism but is incapable of showing the slightest compassion for Mali and the victims of Ukrainian aggression," the communiqué reads.
Malian authorities noted that the choice of strategic partnership with Russia brings the expected results and intend to further strengthen it in order to restore peace, security, and stability on its territory.
Earlier, the Malian Foreign Ministry reported that the Swedish ambassador in Mali had been informed of the need to leave the country following Stockholm's statement on cutting aid to Bamako over the African state's severing of ties with Ukraine.
Mali broke off diplomatic relations with Ukraine on Monday, citing Kiev's support for local terrorists in the West African country.
Later, French media, citing a Malian military source, reported that terrorists from the alliance of Malian armed separatist groups CSP-DPA traveled to Ukraine to receive training.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik that Kiev, unable to defeat Russia on the battlefield, decided to open a "second front" in Africa by pampering terrorist groups in African states friendly to Moscow.