Amanze Chinonye
Russia has entered the growing international debate over U.S. threats of possible military action in Nigeria, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announcing on Friday that Moscow is closely monitoring the situation and urging Washington to adhere to international law.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the remarks on Friday during a press briefing in Moscow, responding to a question from Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.
“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” Zakharova said.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHer comments follow Trump’s Nov. 1 announcement that he had instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to develop options for potential military measures against terrorist groups in Nigeria, a move he said was aimed at protecting Christian communities. The statement has stirred diplomatic unease, with Nigeria pushing back against claims of targeted religious persecution and warning against actions that could undermine its sovereignty.
Zakharova did not directly challenge Trump’s justification but stressed Moscow’s consistent position on foreign military interventions: that any action must align with international law and avoid encroaching on the sovereignty of other nations.
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During the same briefing, Zakharova addressed unrelated regional developments, including Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Abraham Accords. She said Moscow saw no need to comment on Astana’s move at this time, after Kazakhstan officially confirmed joining the U.S.-backed normalization framework on Friday.
The Russian spokeswoman also raised alarm over what she described as increasing Israeli violations of the ceasefire along the Lebanese border, expressing “grave concern” about the growing risk of renewed conflict.
“Moscow continues to engage with both Israeli and Lebanese sides, emphasizing the necessity to prevent any steps leading to renewed violence,” she said. “We convey to all parties our firm stance on the need to avoid actions that may trigger an escalation of violence and another round of armed conflict.”
Zakharova added that Russia would continue working with regional and international partners to safeguard stability in Lebanon and across the wider Middle East.
Russia’s comments come as global attention intensifies on West Africa following Washington’s threat of potential military involvement in Nigeria, a move analysts say could reshape diplomatic alignments in the region.
