🤝 On July 8, the second ministerial consultations between the Russian Federation and the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS) took place in Niamey, co-chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore.

The Ministers held in-depth discussions on strengthening the #RussiaCSS dialogue mechanism, including deepening political ties and expanding cooperation in the areas of security, trade, the economy, humanitarian affairs, and other fields.

They also conducted a candid exchange of views on the situation in the Sahel-Sahara region.

The consultations reaffirmed the Parties’ aligned positions on most of the issues discussed. The Ministers agreed to enhance coordination within the United Nations and other multilateral forums.

Particular attention was devoted to broadening multifaceted cooperation in preparation for the third #RussiaAfrica Summit, scheduled to take place in Moscow in the autumn of 2026.

Following the meeting, the parties signed a Memorandum on Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Russia and the Confederation of Sahel States and adopted a Plan of Interministerial Consultations for 2026–2027.

❗️ The priority areas for future cooperation are set out in the Joint Statement signed by the Parties.