When asked whether Russia can provide security assistance to Mali long-term, Berthe stated, "We hope so."
"Because so far what we have seen from Russia is a good sign that we can count on them in the future," he added.
Berthe pointed out that the relationship between Russia and Africa is based on mutual respect and mutual understanding.
Commenting on the role of Russia in the development of Africa, including Mali, Berthe said, "I can say about my country, because of the military equipment, we happen to buy from Russia because we are facing terrorism. We’ve lost lot of civilians."
"Russia has been very helpful to us in providing the military equipment necessary for us to fight terrorism. We are grateful to that," he said.
President of the National Transitional Council Malick Diaw said in March that Moscow and Bamako can use the opportunity that is opening now to give their bilateral relationship a boost.
Diaw announced Mali's plans to develop its partnership with Russia in defense and energy, and stated that Bamako was proud to have Moscow as a partner. He also said that Mali was ready to sign new military-technical agreements with Russia.
Moreover, Berthe noted that Mali is hopeful that Russia will be able to provide enough fertilizer this year.
"Last year there was a crisis of fertilizer, especially in my country because of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine," Berthe said. "We hope this year there will be an opportunity for Russia to provide us enough fertilizer for our farmers that we need badly."
On Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the grain deal had been extended until July 17 without any changes, but if all problematic issues of the initiative are not resolved in two months, it would be terminated after July 17. The ministry said there were five "systemic" tasks to be solved under the Russia-UN memorandum, including the re-connection of the Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT system and the unfreezing of assets of Russian companies.
The grain deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022 to facilitate exports of Ukrainian agricultural products from Black Sea ports during the hostilities that began in February of that year. The package agreement also includes a memorandum of understanding between Russia and the UN to unblock Russian grain and fertilizer exports via the Black Sea, which, according to Moscow, has not been implemented due to Western sanctions.