How in Moscow meetings were held in the format « Russia -Condition of the Sachel states »

In Moscow, on April 3-4, the first meetings in the history of “Russia -Condition of the Sahel states” were held in history. The results of negotiations between the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and colleagues from Mali, Burkina-Faso and Niger showed: the positions of Russia and African partners are more close than ever, especially with regard to security issues and the fight against terrorism. African guests were flattered that Russia became the first state to recognize the confederation created by the three countries of the region, and promised to promote the formation of the United Armed Forces of the Alliance. In the West, in the rapprochement of Moscow with African regimes, they saw an attempt to expand Russian influence where the West itself, on the contrary, lost control.

On the consultations in Moscow and the first meeting planned on April 3-4 as part of the “consultations of the Confederation of the Sahel countries (AES) and the Russian Federation” the first in a joint statement Reported April 1, Mali Mali, Burkina-Faso and Niger. “The meeting in Moscow is an important step in establishing a strategic, pragmatic, dynamic and mutually beneficial cooperation and partnerships in areas representing a common interest between AES and Russia,” it said. There were no details about the plots that the parties to discuss.

In the Russian Foreign Policy Department, information about the meeting was confirmed only on April 3, shortly before the start of the negotiations themselves. Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova reportedthat diplomats plan to discuss the “development of multifaceted relations”, including “deepening political dialogue and building sectoral interaction”. Already a few hours later, however, it became clear that one political dialogue was not limited at all.

“The Sugar-Sahyl region is faced with manifestations of terrorism today,” the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov touched on a painful theme for colleagues at a press conference following the meeting, noting that “some non-regional players” are involved in “attempts to destabilize the region”. “Among them, in addition to the former colonialists, the Kiev regime has recently appeared, which, with the complete connivance of its Western sponsors, openly supports terrorist groups in this part of Africa,” said Mr. Lavrov.

Mr. Lavrov immediately confirmed that Moscow is also ready to provide comprehensive assistance to the Confederation in the fields of defense and security, economics and diplomacy.

Separately, the diplomat settled on the topic of increasing the combat effectiveness of the United Armed Forces of the Sahel states. The intention of the three countries to create such a military contingent in January was reported by the Minister of National Defense Niger Salif Modi.

As explained by Sergey Lavrov, Russia intends to promote their formation by providing advisory services. For example, organizing special courses and helping in the development of a scheme for equipping the armed forces. “The supply of military products is also a necessary step for the formation of the armed forces in a tripartite format,” the Russian Foreign Minister emphasized.

“Today, our main goal is to create the united forces of the Sahel alliance to fight a terrorist threat,” the priority of security for the confederation countries and the Foreign Minister Mali Abdulai Diop emphasized.

At the same time, he made it clear that the states of the Alliance and Moscow are united in the approach to the one who exactly to be considered terrorists. “These terrorists are supported by external actors who are in our region and help these terrorists organize the rear. For example, Ukraine, ”supported his Russian colleague Abdulay Diop.

Then Abdulay Diop repeated what Sergei Lavrov said more than once: « For us, Ukraine is a terrorist state. »

Recall that in August last year Mali and Niger Torn The diplomatic dealer with Ukraine after Kyiv supported the rebels-Tweregs who attacked the soldiers of the Mali government forces. During those battles, not only the military of this country were killed, but also dozens of Russian fighters from the Wagner PMC.

Having resolutely condemning in a joint communik following Moscow consultations “Acts of aggression of the states -sponsors of terrorism, in particular, the criminal conspiracy of Ukraine with terrorist armed groups acting in the Sahel”, African allies and the Russian Federation also agreed to “establish a pragmatic and jointly strategic partnership”.

Meanwhile, the news about the launch of the “Russia -Condition of the Sahel states” did not pass by the West. On April 3, the Institute for War Study (ISW) has released a summary of analytical notes in Washington « African dossier »dedicating his impressive part of the current meeting in Moscow. Having called the block, which includes Burkina-Faso, Mali and Niger, the “pro-Russian”, the authors came to the conclusion that the Confederation helps Moscow to promote “its goals to crowd out Western influence in Africa”. In the period from 2022 to 2024, at least 4.4 thousand French, 1 thousand American and 10 thousand UN military personnel were forced to leave the three indicated countries, while Russia sent there about 2.5 thousand military personnel, calculated in ISW.

Be that as it may, at a press conference in Moscow, Abdulay Diop did not hide that the countries of the region with Russia are now really more common than anyone.

“Russia is not just a partner for us, but also a permanent ally to whom we can trust,” the diplomat noted, drawing attention to the fact that it is in Moscow that three countries first demonstrate the flag of the confederation of the Sachel countries.

Sergey Lavrov turned his attention to the flag, or rather, to the baobab depicted on it: “According to the West African tradition, as I know, this is a tree of reconciliation …. Therefore, I would like to wish both peoples and in the first place of peaceful life.”

The wish of the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry is very relevant. According to the global terrorism index for 2025 (GTI), Sahel accounted for 19% of all terrorist attacks in the world and 51% of deaths associated with terrorism in 2024 – an increase of 3% year by the year. At the same time, five out of ten countries, most affected by terrorism, are in Sahel.

Anastasia Dombitskaya