Russia announces continued financial military support despite Western criticism

A senior Russian diplomat confirmed, on Monday, that his country will continue to provide military assistance to Mali through government channels, days after Bamako denied the presence of Russian mercenaries on its soil, following a European condemnation of the deployment of Russian military personnel in Mali.

Russia will continue to provide military assistance to Mali through government channels, the RIA news agency quoted a senior diplomat as saying on Monday, days after Bamako denied the presence of Russian mercenaries on its soil.

France, Canada and 13 European countries last week denounced Moscow for facilitating the alleged deployment of military contractors from the Russian-backed Wagner Group in Mali, where the government is fighting extremist armed groups.

On Saturday, the Mali government denied the presence of Russian mercenaries, but said that "trainers" from Russia were present on its territory as part of an agreement between the two countries.

A cargo plane carried four helicopters, weapons and ammunition from Russia to Mali in October as part of what the government in Bamako described as a commercial deal with the Russian state.

On Monday, the Russian Information Agency quoted Peter Elishev, director of the International Organizations Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, as saying during an interview that Bamako has the right to cooperate with any partners it wants in its armed fight.

"We will continue to defend Bamako's legitimate interests in the United Nations, as well as provide assistance to our partners in Mali in the military and military-technical fields through government channels," Elishev added.

President Vladimir Putin said the Wagner Group does not represent the Russian state, but that military contractors have the right to operate anywhere in the world as long as they do not violate Russian law.