A diplomatic standoff is intensifying in West Africa after Mali and Burkina Faso announced reciprocal visa bans on U.S. citizens in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to place both countries under a full U.S. travel ban. The two military-led nations said Washington’s move was taken without consultation and was not justified by conditions on the ground, vowing to apply the same entry restrictions imposed on their citizens. The retaliation comes as Mali and Burkina deepen ties with Russia after expelling French and U.S. forces, raising concerns of a shifting power balance in West Africa and increasing challenges to U.S. influence in the region.