The Russian foreign minister and officials from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held talks with his counterparts from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, focusing on stronger cooperation and preparations for the third Russia-Africa Summit, Moscow has said.

Themeetingon Wednesday, held on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, marked the second joint discussions between the foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and Russia, according to an official statement.

In his opening remarks, Lavrov said Moscow and the Sahel states share interests that extend beyond trade, defense, and cultural affairs to cooperation at the UN and other international bodies, including Russia-Africa collaboration.

"We are now entering the preparatory phase for the third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled for 2026. We are confident that the countries represented here will exert every effort to ensure its success," the diplomat stated.

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Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have sought closer cooperation with Russia under the AES, formed in September 2023. The three military-led governments have cut defense ties with France, accusing their former colonial power of failing to contain the deadly jihadist insurgency devastating the Sahel.

In April, Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's commitment to strengthening the defense capabilities of the AES following his first jointtalkswith the Malian, Nigerien, and Burkinabe foreign ministers in Moscow. He said Russia was ready to help create a unified armed force for the three West African states, alongside bilateral security cooperation and support for the group's strategic priorities, including economic development and diplomacy.

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On Wednesday, the Russian diplomat said the April talks in Moscow had been "productive" and that the parties intend to continue the "highly promising format."

(RT.com)