Mali cuts diplomatic ties with Ukraine

Mali announced that it is cutting off diplomatic relations with Ukraine over Ukrainian ''involvement'' in a recent deadly terrorist attack in the West African country.

Malian government ''has learned, with deep shock, of the subversive remarks by which Mr. Andriy Yusov, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, has admitted Ukraine's involvement in a cowardly, treacherous and barbaric attack by armed terrorist groups,'' said government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga in a statement on Sunday.

The attack ''resulted in the deaths of elements of the Malian defence and security forces in Tinzaouaten, as well as material damage,'' Maiga said.