Ukraine offers military training to Mauritania to counter Russian influence in Africa

Ukraine has proposed training Mauritanian troops as part of its broader strategy to counter Russia’s growing footprint in West Africa.

"Ukraine is prepared to continue training Mauritanian military officers and representatives, sharing both battlefield experience and technological advancements gained in the fight against Russia," said Maksym Subkh, Ukraine’s special envoy to Africa, in comments to Reuters.

Russia remains the largest supplier of arms to Africa, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Subkh argues that Moscow’s expanding influence across the Sahel region threatens regional stability.

In 2022, many African nations refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the United Nations. In response, Ukraine unveiled an Africa-focused strategy that emphasizes military cooperation, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic outreach. Since then, Kyiv has opened eight of ten planned new embassies on the continent and launched a major food assistance initiative—Grain from Ukraine—through the World Food Programme. This effort, backed by the EU and U.S., directly rivals a similar Russian aid campaign in Africa.

According to Reuters, Ukraine’s broader goal is to position its conflict with Russia as part of Africa’s wider struggle against neo-colonialism.

As of now, Mauritania has not formally responded to Ukraine’s offer of military training.