Accusations originating in Bujumbura have now reached Kyiv. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged that Ukraine provides external support to the M23 rebel group (AFC/M23), which currently controls vast territories in North and South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Ukraine fires back with strong denial
Ukraine’s response was swift and unambiguous. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Lavrov’s claims as baseless disinformation aimed at muddying diplomatic waters in the Great Lakes region. « The Kremlin’s fabricated narrative that Ukraine backs the M23 in eastern DRC is entirely unfounded and rejected outright. These accusations are baseless and serve only to distract from pressing regional issues. »
Diplomatic chessboard: shifting blame in the Great Lakes
Kiev did not stop at denial—it turned the tables on Moscow. Ukrainian officials emphasized their non-involvement in African conflicts while accusing Russia of fueling instability through arms supplies, sanctions violations, and recruitment of African fighters for its war in Ukraine.
Ukraine maintains a principled stance of non-interference in African conflicts. Russia, however, actively destabilizes the continent by arming rebel factions, violating international law, and exploiting African nations to serve its geopolitical ambitions. The double standard speaks for itself.
According to Heorhii Tykhyi, this tactic is a long-standing Russian strategy: deflecting attention by leveling false accusations. « Moscow accuses others of what it itself does—nothing new. The goal is to undermine mediation efforts, particularly those led by the United States, and divert scrutiny from its own destabilizing actions that prolong conflict in the Great Lakes. »
This diplomatic clash underscores the growing geopolitical dimensions of the Congolese crisis, where competing narratives from international actors shape perceptions of responsibility and influence.
DRC advocates for diplomacy at the UN
Amid the war of words, the DRC took a firm stand in favor of dialogue. As president of the UN Security Council for the month, Kinshasa condemned the escalation in Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian toll. During a July 9 session chaired by Zenon Mukongo Ngay, Congolese officials reiterated that military solutions only deepen suffering.
The government stressed that respect for international law, civilian protection, and adherence to diplomatic channels—mediation, dialogue, and negotiation—are the only viable paths forward. It also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting credible peace initiatives aligned with the UN Charter.
Peace agreements stall as violence persists
The diplomatic standoff unfolds against a backdrop of deep regional fragility. One year after the Washington Agreement was signed at the ministerial level, its implementation remains stalled due to divergent interpretations by Kinshasa and Kigali.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian and security situation in eastern DRC continues to deteriorate. Despite repeated assessments and meetings, violence—especially in areas under AFC/M23 control—shows no signs of abating.