He made the remarks while addressing the nation on Eritrea's 31st Independence Day from the main stadium in the capital, Asmara, on Tuesday.

He alleged that "forces of hegemony" had after the collapse of the Soviet Union decided to "rule the world through anchor states" against Russia.

He accused the West of a strategy to use Eastern European countries bordering Russia as a wedge, which had created a dangerous situation.

"What we are witnessing in Ukraine now is not something spontaneous but a continuation of the strategy. Ukraine and its people are victims and a pretext," Mr Afewerki added.

Eritrea was the only African country that opposed a UN resolution in March that condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It joined Russia, Belarus, North Korea and Syria in voting against the resolution.