Russia Urges U.S. to Respect International Law Amid Threat of Military Action in Nigeria

Russia has publicly called on the United States to respect international legal standards amid reports of potential American military options targeting Nigeria. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Moscow is monitoring the situation closely and emphasised that any parties involved must “strictly comply with international legal norms.”

Monitoring U.S. Military Planning

At a Friday briefing in Moscow, Zakharova responded to questions about the U.S. threat of military action in Nigeria. She referred to remarks by Donald Trump that the United States Department of Defense had been directed to prepare military options against terrorist groups in Nigeria, ostensibly to protect Christian communities.
Zakharova declared: “We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms.”

Diplomacy and the Abraham Accords

In the same briefing, Zakharova declined to comment on the decision by Kazakhstan to join the Abraham Accords, signalling Moscow’s cautious posture in Central Asian and Middle Eastern diplomatic shifts. She told reporters: “Get a response from the country you mention, and then, if there needs to be, we’ll comment on it.”

Geopolitical Stakes and Regional Implications

These statements highlight the evolving dynamics of global influence—particularly how major powers respond to security and diplomatic developments involving African and post-Soviet states. Russia’s emphasis on adherence to law in the Nigeria-U.S. scenario contrasts with its own contentious military engagements elsewhere, and its neutral stance on Kazakhstan’s diplomatic moves underscores a recalibration of strategic alliances.