Rwandan President Paul Kagame has made a surprising statement, telling CNN he doesn’t know if Rwandan troops are currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This comes as fierce fighting between the M23 rebel group and Congolese soldiers has left over 900 dead and thousands injured in recent days.

The international community widely believes Rwanda supports the M23 rebels, with UN experts estimating that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are assisting the group in eastern DRC. However, when asked point-blank about Rwanda’s military presence, Kagame responded, “I don’t know.” He also added, “There are many things I don’t know.”

Kagame did acknowledge that Rwanda is deeply concerned about the conflict. “Is there a problem in Congo that concerns Rwanda? And that Rwanda would do anything to protect itself? I’d say 100%,” he said. He described the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group active in DRC, as an “existential threat” to his country.

Meanwhile, DRC Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya reiterated that Rwanda’s military involvement is well-documented. “Kagame is the only voice denying this,” he said, pointing to multiple international bodies that have confirmed Rwanda’s presence in the region.

The violence has reached devastating levels, with over 900 bodies recovered in Goma alone, according to the UN. The M23, which recently seized Goma, claims it aims to overthrow the Congolese government and install new leadership. Kagame, however, has dismissed comparisons of his actions to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy in Ukraine, saying, “I may be called anything—what can I do about it?”

As tensions escalate, the situation remains volatile, with both sides preparing for further confrontation. The international community continues to call for peace, but with Rwanda signaling it will do “whatever it takes” to protect itself, the road to resolution appears uncertain.