Collected photo

MOSCOW, June 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Mali's military strongman, General Assimi 
Goita, told Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Monday that he 
wanted to "reinforce" ties with Moscow as he visited Russia for several days.

Under the general -- who came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021 -- the 
west African country steered away from its former colonial master France, 
mainly in favour of closer ties with Moscow. 

Goita's visit comes as Mali struggles to contain a jihadist threat in the 
country. 

"I am convinced this visit will be an occasion to reinforce our relations," 
Goita, who arrived in Moscow on Sunday and is meant to stay most of the week, 
told Putin. 

He said he wanted to expand cooperation in "defence, transport, the economy". 

Russia has for years sought to expand its influence in Africa, especially 
with the rise of mercenaries sponsored by the Kremlin. 

Putin said it was a "great pleasure" to host the African leader in Moscow.

"There are good prospects (for developing ties) in natural resources, energy, 
logistics," the longtime Russian president said. 

Russia's energy minister Sergei Tsivilev, deputy defence minister Yunnus-bek 
Yevkurov and the foreign ministers of both countries attended the talks. 

Goita's visit comes shortly after Russia's Wagner group -- which had been 
helping the Malian army since 2021 -- announced it would leave the country, 
to be replaced by its successor Africa Corps.