Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Mali's interim President Assimi Goita to discuss mutual trade, the fight against terrorism and other humanitarian issues, the Kremlin said Sunday.
"At the initiative of the Malian side, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with the interim President of the Republic of Mali Assimi Goita [...] There was a thorough exchange of views on practical measures to further develop Russian-Mali cooperation in various areas, including trade and economic, humanitarian and anti-terrorist spheres," the statement said.
In addition, Putin expressed his condolences to the president of Mali over the September 7 terrorist attack in the northeast of the country.
During the conversation, the two leaders expressed their opinion on the need to settle the situation in Niger by political and diplomatic means.
"When discussing issues of ensuring stability in West Africa and the Sahara-Sahel region, an opinion was expressed on the need to settle the situation in the Republic of Niger by political and diplomatic means," the Kremlin said.
It is noted that the Malian president in the conversation with Putin thanked Russia for support in the UN Security Council vote on the lifting of international sanctions against the republic.
"It was agreed to continue contacts at various levels," the message added.