Sahel Ministers Visit Russia for Diplomatic Talks
Foreign ministers from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso visit Russia to boost ties under the Sahel Alliance following an invite from Sergei Lavrov.
Sahel Foreign Ministers Visit Russia Amid Strengthening Ties
Foreign ministers from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are en route to Russia for a two-day working visit, in a move that signals deepening ties between Moscow and the newly formed Sahel Alliance of States (AES). The visit follows an official invitation extended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The ministers are traveling under the banner of the AES—a regional bloc the three countries formed after withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Their joint trip underscores a growing alignment with Russia, as the Sahel nations seek to expand diplomatic and strategic partnerships beyond traditional Western allies.
In a statement ahead of the meeting, Lavrov described the forthcoming talks in Moscow as "an important step towards rebuilding and enhancing full cooperation between the AES and Russia."
Earlier this week, Lavrov also announced plans for Russia to open new embassies in Niger, Togo, Gambia, and Liberia by 2026—part of a broader diplomatic push to boost Russia's presence across Africa.
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