Russia has waded into the growing international tension surrounding Nigeria after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the United States might consider military action in the country.

Speaking during a press briefing in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Kremlin is “closely monitoring” the situation and urged all parties—especially Washington—to act in line with international law.

Zakharova made the comments in response to a question from the Anadolu News Agency regarding Trump’s explosive remarks about Nigeria.

Trump’s Threat: “Options for Possible Military Measures”

On November 1, President Trump announced that he had asked the Pentagon to prepare “options for possible military measures” in Nigeria, claiming the move was necessary to protect Christian communities allegedly under threat from extremist groups.

In a statement shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the situation as an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria, accusing radical Islamist groups of committing mass killings.

“Thousands of Christians are being killed… The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,”
— Trump wrote.

He also said he had labelled Nigeria a “country of particular concern” and asked key members of Congress to investigate the matter and report back to him.

 Russia’s Reaction: Follow International Law

Responding to Trump’s comments, Zakharova called on Washington to act responsibly:

“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms.”

Her remarks suggest that Russia is paying close attention to how the U.S. positions itself regarding Nigeria—especially given the geopolitical implications.

 Nigeria Reacts: ‘We Protect All Faiths’

The Nigerian government swiftly dismissed Trump’s claims.
President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria upholds religious freedom and rejects any insinuation that Christians—or any religious group—are being systematically targeted.

The Federal Government insisted that the U.S. President’s comments do not reflect the reality on the ground.

 Growing International Focus on Nigeria

Trump’s remarks have sparked global conversations about Nigeria’s security challenges, especially with Russia now showing visible interest in the unfolding situation.

As international players weigh in, Nigeria finds itself once again at the centre of global geopolitical attention.