Overview

• The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) foreign ministers held their first official talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, emphasizing strengthened ties after breaking from Western allies.
• Russia committed to training AES forces, supplying military equipment, and supporting the creation of a joint armed force to combat jihadist insurgencies in the region.
• The AES and Russia announced plans to expand cooperation into energy, mining, and regional development, supported by a newly established Sahel regional investment bank.
• Both parties condemned Ukraine as a 'terrorist state,' aligning politically against Western influence and reinforcing shared narratives about regional destabilization.
• The AES foreign ministers described Russia as a 'sincere and constant ally,' seeking a 'win-win partnership' to address security and development challenges in the Sahel.