Russia has expressed concern over reports that the United States is weighing potential military action in Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s directive to prepare intervention plans over alleged attacks on Christians.
Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow on Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the Kremlin is monitoring the situation closely and urged all actors to respect international law as tensions rise.
“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” Zakharova said.
Her remarks come days after US defence officials confirmed that both air and ground strike contingencies had been drafted as part of Trump’s renewed stance on protecting Christian communities in Nigeria. The former US president recently redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing what he described as ongoing persecution of Christians by Islamic militant groups.
Trump warned that Washington could “enter Nigeria guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government fails to halt the attacks, a statement that has triggered diplomatic reactions across the continent and beyond.
Nigeria, ECOWAS Reject Allegations
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has dismissed the genocide claims, insisting that the country faces a complex security challenge affecting citizens of all faiths. The Nigerian government said it welcomes international collaboration to tackle terrorism but will not accept actions that undermine its sovereignty.
ECOWAS also backed Nigeria’s position, warning against external narratives that could inflame tensions or justify foreign military involvement in the region.
