Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Met with Counterparts from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in Moscow
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosted a meeting with his counterparts from the West African countries of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in Moscow on Thursday. Lavrov expressed gratitude to the representatives of the “Alliance of the Sahel States” (AES) for accepting his invitation to the meeting, which he described as having a special significance.
The meeting marked the first time the four-party format was held, with Russia and the three countries of the AES. Lavrov announced that Moscow is willing to support the creation of a joint military force among the three West African states, in addition to cooperation on strengthening their defense capabilities.
In his speech, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop referred to Russia as a permanent ally of the AES, a partner that can be trusted.
Russia is the first country to recognize the Alliance of the Sahel States, Diop stated.
The Sahel states and Russia share common approaches on security issues, as well as a similar understanding and vision on how to combat terrorism and ensure the security of the region, Diop added.
The terrorists in the Sahel zone, according to Diop, receive support and supplies from external actors, including Ukraine.
Diop quoted, “For us, Ukraine is a terrorist state.”
Ukraine supports terrorism and this must be stopped, he emphasized.
Mali had severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine in early August 2024, citing Ukraine’s support for local terrorists as the reason. Niger followed suit three days later. Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova had then stated that Ukraine had decided to open a second front in Africa, as Ukraine is unable to defeat Russia on the battlefield. Therefore, Ukraine supports the terrorists in the African states that are friendly with Russia.