The Russian Government says it is closely monitoring developments in Nigeria following recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump hinting at possible American military action in the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow on Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia was “following the situation with great attention” and urged all parties to respect international law.
“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” Zakharova said in response to a question from Anadolu Agency regarding Trump’s statement.
Trump had, on November 1, claimed 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, the former U.S. president described Christianity in Nigeria as facing an “existential threat,” alleging mass killings by radical Islamist groups.
“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 wrote, adding that the U.S. “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
He also called on members of Congress, including Congressman Moore, Chairman Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the situation and report back to him.
In response, the Nigerian Government rejected Trump’s claims, with President Bola Tinubu reaffirming that Nigeria remains committed to protecting religious freedom and the rights of all faiths.
