Russia to continue to provide Mali with military aid

COLOMBO(News 1st):Russia will continue to provide Mali with military assistance through state channels, a senior Russian diplomat told foreign media.

Mali's government denied the presence of Russian mercenaries on Saturday(25) However, said that Russian trainers were there as a part of a bilateral agreement between Russia and Mali.

Last week 13 European nations inclusive of France and Canada condemned Moscow for facilitating the alleged deployment of private military contractors from the Russian-backed Wagner group to Mali.

In October a Russian cargo plane delivered four helicopters, weapons, and ammunition from Russia to Mali, part of what the Malian government deemed as a commercial deal with Moscow.

The Wagner Group does not represent the Russian state, but private military contractors have the right to work anywhere in the world as long as those contractors do not breach Russian law, President Vladimir Putin stated.