Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[REGNUM.RU] Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) have pointed to criminal collusion between France and Ukraine and terrorists in the region. This was reported in a joint statement issued on July 8 by the Russian Foreign Ministry and the ASS following consultations in Niamey.
"The parties acknowledged the involvement of external state actors in coordinated barbaric aggression, as well as economic and media terrorism in the ACS space," the statement, cited by the Russian Foreign Ministry press service, noted.
Specifically, it points to criminal collusion between Ukraine, France, and several other countries with terrorist groups operating in the Sahel. The parties also condemned "treacherous and vile terrorist acts" aimed at undermining stability in the ACS area.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Niger for the first time. A government plane landed on July 8 at the airport in the capital, Niamey, from where Lavrov traveled to a ministerial meeting between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS).
Regional security and the fight against terrorism will be the central topic of discussion. The ACS countries have repeatedly stated that militants attacking the Sahel receive external support, including from Ukraine and the West. Moscow also noted that Kyiv cooperates with terrorist groups and uses them to destabilize African regimes.
On July 7, Lavrov visited Ethiopia, the first stop on his African tour. There, he held talks with Foreign Minister Gideon Timotheos and the country's leadership. The meetings focused on the construction of a nuclear power plant, cooperation in mineral exploration and production, metallurgy, and increasing trade. Lavrov previously made an official visit to Ethiopia in July 2022 as part of his African tour.
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