The Russian Government has said it is keeping a close watch on developments in Nigeria following a recent statement by United States President Donald Trump hinting at possible American military action in the country.
At a press briefing in Moscow on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said Russia was monitoring the situation and urged all sides to avoid actions that violate global norms.
“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 News Agency.
Zakharova Reacts to Trump’s Military Threat
Zakharova’s comments come one week after Trump announced that he had instructed the Pentagon to draw up “options for possible military measures” against terrorist groups operating in Nigeria, claiming the move was intended to protect Christian communities.
In his November 1 post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Christianity in Nigeria faced an “existential threat,” alleging that “thousands of Christians are being killed.”
“Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby designating Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’” the U.S. President wrote.
Trump added that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” insisting that his administration would be “ready, willing, and able to protect our great Christian population around the world.”
He also directed members of Congress, including Congressman Barry Moore, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole and other Republican allies—to investigate the situation in Nigeria and report back to him.
Federal Government had swiftly dismissed Trump’s statements, stressing that Nigeria remains committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all religious groups.
President Bola Tinubu insisted that Nigeria does not discriminate against any faith and rejected the CPC designation as misleading and politically motivated.
Officials noted that insecurity in the country affects citizens of all religions, and accused foreign commentators of pushing narratives that do not reflect the complex realities on the ground.
Russia Calls for Restraint
Russia’s statement is the latest in a string of global reactions following Trump’s controversial comments and reports that U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) was reviewing contingency plans in line with the directive.
Zakharova urged Washington and its allies to act with “responsibility” and strictly within the boundaries of international law, warning that erratic foreign interventions often worsen tensions rather than resolve them.
