Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted a phone conversation with Mali's interim President Assimi Goita, as confirmed by the Kremlin's press service.
"During the conversation, special emphasis was placed on the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region. The significance of achieving a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the situation involving the Republic of Niger was underscored," the statement noted.
Furthermore, as a follow-up to the Russian-Mali summit discussions held on July 29 in St. Petersburg, various matters related to the continued enhancement of friendly bilateral relations were addressed, the Kremlin further noted. The telephone conversation took place at the initiative of the Malian side.
The second Russia-Africa summit convened in late July at the Expoforum in St. Petersburg, concurrently accompanied by an economic and humanitarian forum. During a one-on-one meeting with President Goita on the sidelines of the summit, President Putin revealed that the Russian Cabinet of Ministers had earmarked $2 million for the procurement of an additional batch of food supplies for Mali through UN agencies. In return, President Goita expressed gratitude to President Putin for his contributions to fostering peace and stability and affirmed Mali's commitment to intensifying collaboration with Russia.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS