Forgotten Dairies
Russia Underlines its Contributions Toward Establishing Peace and Stability in Sahel States -By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
The meeting focused on a wide range of issues concerning priority areas of cooperation within the Russia–AES dialogue – political, economic, financial, transport and logistics, and information – with particular emphasis on preparations for the third Russia–Africa Summit, due to be held in Moscow on October 28–29. A candid exchange of views took place regarding the situation in the Sahara–Sahel region. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening foreign policy coordination at the UN and other international platforms.
On the sidelines of the High-Level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Diop.
The foreign ministers discussed a wide range of pressing issues concerning the further strengthening of traditionally friendly Russian-Malian relations, with a focus on expanding trade, economic and investment ties in the context of the decisions adopted following the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on cooperation held in Kazan in May 2026.
During an exchange of views on key global and regional issues, Moscow and Bamako confirmed their intention to deepen their trust-based political dialogue and the coordination of actions at the United Nations, including within the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, as well as in other multilateral formats. The Russian side expressed its readiness to continue to contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in Mali and the Sahara-Sahel region as a whole.
Further to that on September 25, Lavrov also held a broader meeting with the three foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES): Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso Karamoko Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali Abdoulaye Diop, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad of the Republic of the Niger Bakary Yaou Sangaré.
The meeting focused on a wide range of issues concerning priority areas of cooperation within the Russia–AES dialogue – political, economic, financial, transport and logistics, and information – with particular emphasis on preparations for the third Russia–Africa Summit, due to be held in Moscow on October 28–29. A candid exchange of views took place regarding the situation in the Sahara–Sahel region. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening foreign policy coordination at the UN and other international platforms.
