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Russia Issues Fresh Warning To Nigeria About U.S and U.K Interference
The Russian government has issued a stern warning to Nigeria, alleging attempts by the United States and the United Kingdom to interfere in the country’s internal affairs and undermine its bilateral relations with Russia.
This statement comes as the Russian Embassy in Nigeria denied any involvement in the October 1st hunger protests that swept across the nation. In a letter addressed to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia’s Press Secretary, Yury Paramonov, emphasized that Russia respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.
The Russian government accused Western nations, particularly the US, UK, and Ukraine, of spreading unfounded claims regarding its involvement in the protests. The Embassy cited remarks made by prominent officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Director of the British Council in Nigeria David Roberts, and Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria Ivan Kholostenko, as examples of baseless allegations.
“Statements by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and others have shamelessly suggested that the use of Russian flags during recent protests is evidence of Russia’s interference, warning that this could happen again in the future,” the Russian Embassy stated.
The statement further asserted, “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.”
Russia concluded by reaffirming its commitment to respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and maintaining a non-interference stance in the internal affairs of independent states.