Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are pursuing a course of rapprochement with Russia and want to overcome neocolonial dependence on France, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday.
According to Zakharova, Moscow continues to actively cooperate with these countries in various spheres. Specific agreements on economic, trade and investment cooperation have been reached.
"We do not draw dividing lines," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman told reporters.
Moscow is strengthening its relations with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, as these countries see Russia as a chance to free themselves from the "pseudo-domination" of the West and overcome neocolonial dependency, among other things.
As for the so-called "pro-Russian belt" on the continent cited by journalists, Zakharova clarified that the countries in question had already chosen their name - the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) - and presented it to the international community.