Tensions are rising between Russia and Ukraine as both nations exchanged pointed statements regarding allegations of interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
On Friday, the Russian Government issued a stern warning to the United States, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom for accusing it of sponsoring protests in Nigeria. Russia stated that these countries should be held accountable for their attempts to meddle in Nigeria’s domestic matters and undermine its bilateral relations with Russia.
This warning comes amid increasing concerns over foreign influence following the protests that erupted across Nigeria on October 1. These demonstrations were a response to earlier protests on August 1, which were ignited by dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies and the devaluation of the naira.
During the August protests in Kano, several demonstrators were arrested for waving Russian flags, which raised alarms about foreign interference. The presence of these flags was particularly concerning to Nigerians, given Russia’s growing involvement in West Africa.
In continuation of their grievances, some youths staged another round of protests on October 1 in various parts of the country.
In response, Russian Press Secretary Yury Paramonov rejected claims made by certain Western and Ukrainian media outlets that Russia was behind the unrest. According to the embassy, figures like U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Director of the British Council in Nigeria David Roberts, and Ukraine’s Ambassador to Nigeria Ivan Kholostenko suggested that the presence of Russian flags at recent protests indicated Russia’s interference.
“I would like to share our note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, which we sent at the end of September when there were rumors of potential unrest in Nigeria. The embassies of the USA, the UK, and Ukraine were prematurely trying to blame Russia for it. As expected, all these claims turned out to be fabrications and attempts to create discord between the friendly peoples of Russia and Nigeria,” the statement read.
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria has noted the media reports about possible protests in Nigeria at the beginning of October. We are also dismayed that certain Western and Ukrainian media outlets are attempting to preemptively accuse Russia of involvement in, or even organising, such unrest.
“In particular, statements from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Director of the British Council in Nigeria David Roberts, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Nigeria Ivan Kholostenko have baselessly suggested that the use of Russian flags during recent protests is evidence of Russia’s interference, warning that this could occur again in the future,” the statement continued.
The Russian embassy dismissed these accusations as unfounded, reiterating that Russia had no involvement in the protests. Conversely, it pointed to what it described as a coordinated media campaign by Western and Ukrainian officials, accusing them of attempting to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs and shift blame onto Russia.
The embassy reaffirmed the strength of Russia’s relations with Nigeria and expressed its support for peaceful dialogue within the legal framework to resolve any internal issues. “Russia stands firmly behind Nigeria’s leadership and its people,” the statement asserted.
“The embassy categorically rejects such accusations and reiterates that the Russian Federation neither had any involvement in the recent protests nor does it have any connection to any potential future demonstrations or unrest.
“Russia has always respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and strictly adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of independent states. In contrast, the coordinated media campaign by Western and Ukrainian officials and outlets clearly indicates their attempts to meddle in Nigeria’s internal matters and shift the blame for any consequences onto Russia.
“We greatly value the relations between our two countries and support only peaceful dialogue within the legal framework as the appropriate means to resolve internal disputes. Once again, we express our unwavering support for the leadership and the people of Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
In response to Russia’s warning, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ivan Kholostenko, issued a statement condemning the Russian regime and its actions on the global stage. Kholostenko characterised Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, as an “unprovoked and unjustified aggressive war” aimed at fully occupying Ukraine and erasing its national identity.
“Ukraine knows perfectly well what the Russian regime is. We would like to refer to the truthful facts. The truth is that the Russian army commits horrific and numerous war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine every day. Russians kill, rape, and torture civilians, including women and children,” Kholostenko stated.
He further accused Russia of deliberately undermining international food security by withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and targeting Ukrainian grain exports. Kholostenko also cited the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued in March 2023 for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, as evidence of Russia’s blatant disregard for international law.
“All these atrocities and war crimes have been and continue to be committed under Russian flags,” Kholostenko asserted, vowing that Russia would face just punishment under international law for its actions.
Aishah Gambari, Press and Media Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, promised to respond to the claims made by the Russian government. However, she had not done so at the time of this report. Efforts to reach a representative from the UK Government were unsuccessful, as emails and text messages went unanswered.
