Sub-Saharan Africa
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Mali's FM Meets Russian Ambassador to Discuss Bilateral Issues and African Peace Process

Cooperation between Mali and Russia continues at the economic, political, military and humanitarian levels, despite Western attempts to put pressure on it.
Sputnik
Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, met on Friday with Russian ambassador to the nation, Igor Gromyko, to discuss bilateral issues and the peace process in the African country, Mali's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X on Saturday.
Ismael Wague, the West African country's Minister of Reconciliation, Peace and National Cohesion, was also present at the meeting.
Malian ministers briefed the Russian diplomat on the latest advancements in Mali, including developments regarding national ownership of the peace process. This week, the West African country ended a peace accord with Tuareg insurgents as it wasn't workable, and then reportedly issued a decree to organize national peace and reconciliation talks.
The Malian politicians also said the transitional authority is determined to maintain and strengthen its commitment to peace, stability, reconciliation and national cohesion.
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During the meeting, the officials also discussed bilateral issues aimed at strengthening political, economic and cultural ties between Mali and Russia.
Malian-Russian relations are developing steadily. Last summer, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Mali's interim president Assimi Goita, during which trade and economic ties between the countries were discussed, including the supply of Russian wheat to Mali, as well as the supply of fertilizers and energy resources.
Russia has also provided Mali with military equipment to help fight terrorism in the country.
Moreover, in August 2023, Russia vetoed the UN Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution to extend the sanctions' regime on Mali that was imposed on the African country by the UNSC in 2017 in response to the security situation and continued hostilities in the nation in violation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.
Mali also supported Russia on the international arena: the country voted against the United Nations General Assembly resolution that demanded withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine but failed to mention the need to stop the shelling of Donbass by Ukrainian troops. After Mali supported Russia, Sweden reportedly planned to stop development aid to Mali.
And last but not least, earlier in January, Russia delivered a humanitarian cargo of 25,000 tonnes of free grain to the West African nation.