The Russian government has refuted claims of involvement in the August 1 hunger protest in Nigeria, during which protesters were seen waving Russian flags. In a letter addressed to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yury Paramonov, the Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria, accused the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine of attempting to damage Russia’s relationship with Nigeria by linking it to the protests.
Russia is also facing accusations of political interference in West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. In response to these allegations, Paramonov stated:
“The Embassy categorically rejects such accusations and reiterates that the Russian Federation neither had any involvement in the protests that occurred in the recent past, nor does it have any connection to any potential future demonstrations or unrest.”
He added:
“Russia has always respected the sovereignty of Nigeria. We strictly adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of independent states.”
Paramonov further relayed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of Nigeria’s National Day, expressing Russia’s hopes for continued cooperation:
“The Embassy also extends its best wishes to the people and Government of Nigeria for prosperity and stability, and we hope for continued cooperation and deepening relations between our two countries,” the statement said
