Amadou Abdramane

Russia on Wednesday said Ukraine was opening a "second front" in Africa after Mali and Niger broke off diplomatic relations with Kiev, accusing it of support for "terrorist groups."

Niger has announced the immediate severance of diplomatic relations with Ukraine, citing Kyiv's alleged support for "terrorist groups" in Mali. This decision follows Mali's similar move earlier this week, which was also based on accusations of Ukrainian involvement in recent terrorist activities in the West African nation.

The military regime in Niger has expressed readiness to resolve the crisis in the country through diplomatic channels. This is clear from a statement by the Nigerien religious mission. The leader of the regime, General Abdulrahman Chiani, said that "his door is open to explore the possibility of solving the crisis diplomatically and peacefully", BTA reported.

Coup leaders in Niger have accused French forces of violating the prohibition on using its airspace to 'destabilize' the West African nation, as France promptly rejected the allegations, an Al Jazeera report said.

Niger's airspace has been closed since Sunday, the day imposed as a deadline by a group of African countries for the leaders of Niger's military coup to relinquish power and restore the country's democratically elected president, CNN reported.