Russia is working on the possibility of opening diplomatic missions in South Sudan, Niger and Sierra Leone, the head of the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Aleksey Klimov, told the Russian media.
"Activities aimed at increasing the representation of Russian diplomacy and expanding the consular presence in friendly countries are being carried out on an ongoing basis. The possibility of opening diplomatic missions in South Sudan, Niger and Sierra Leone in the perspective is being analyzed," the diplomat noted.
He added that the decisions to open embassies in Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea, as well as consulates general in Kapan (Armenia), Aktau (Kazakhstan), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Denpasar (Indonesia) and Male (Maldives), have already been taken and agreed upon with the authorities of the host countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last July plans to reopen Russian embassies in Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea as part of efforts to enhance cooperation with African nations across various sectors. In August 2023, orders in this regard were signed by Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
The Russian embassy in the capital city of Equatorial Guinea, Malabo, de facto started to work in late March, Director of the African Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Tkachenko said.
Last December, Russia officially resumed the activities of its embassy in Burkina Faso. Moreover, in January, Russian House, a non-governmental Russian cultural center, began work in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou.
According to Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, the move indicates the "strengthening of diplomatic relations" between the countries, and Russia is "a truly strategic partner" for Burkina Faso.