Malian President Calls Putin "Sincere Statesman"
(MENAFN) Transitional Malian President Assimi Goita has lauded Russian President Vladimir Putin for his "pragmatic" and "sincere" approach to international relations, calling him a "sincere statesman" following their meeting last week in Moscow. This praise came after Goita’s official visit to Russia, as detailed by media on Monday.
The summit concluded with the signing of multiple agreements, notably on economic collaboration and peaceful nuclear energy initiatives. Goita emphasized his admiration for Putin, stating, "President Vladimir Putin is a pragmatic and sincere man. We have seen [it] through his gestures, all his openness."
He also expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received during his visit, underscoring that Mali’s growing ties with Moscow—particularly in security matters—have already yielded significant results. Although he did not specifically mention France, Goita pointed out that Mali had severed relations with previous allies, noting, “with Russia we [Mali] were able to arm ourselves.”
“Cooperation with Russia is effective. It is without demagogy, without manipulation,” Goita further explained to reporters.
Goita confirmed that discussions with Putin focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The two leaders addressed three primary areas for future cooperation: diplomacy, defense, and development.
Relations between Russia and the AES countries have been deepening in recent months. In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow's commitment to strengthening the defense capabilities of AES nations. Lavrov emphasized that Russia was prepared to provide active assistance in building up the Sahel states' joint military forces, enhancing their combat readiness, and training both military personnel and law enforcement.
This was Goita’s second trip to Russia, having previously met Putin at the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in 2023. During this year’s visit, the Malian president also toured the Republic of Tatarstan, located in central Russia.
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