Russia is keeping a careful eye on developments in Nigeria following statements by United States President Donald Trump suggesting possible American military intervention in the country, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Friday.
At a press briefing in Moscow, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that Russia is “closely monitoring this issue and calls on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms.” She stressed that Washington should act responsibly and within international law.
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“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” Zakharova reiterated. Her remarks came in response to questions from Anadolu News Agency regarding Trump’s recent statements.
On November 1, Trump announced that he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare “options for possible military measures” against terrorist groups in Nigeria, citing the need to protect Christian communities.
In a post on his Truth Social platform last Friday, Trump described Christianity in Nigeria as facing an “existential threat” from radical Islamist groups. He wrote, “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby designating Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’”
Trump further declared that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening” and pledged that his administration would be ready to protect the Christian population globally. He also called on Congress to investigate the situation, directing Congressman Moore, Chairman Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee to report back to him.
The Nigerian Federal Government, however, rejected the claims. President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria upholds religious freedom and safeguards the rights of all faiths.