Moscow — Mali’s transitional President, General Assimi Goïta, arrived in Moscow on Sunday, June 22, 2025, for a multi-day official state visit aimed at reinforcing and expanding Mali’s growing partnership with the Russian Federation. The visit follows an official invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin and reflects Mali’s ongoing diplomatic pivot toward Moscow.

Goïta was received with full ceremonial honors by Russian officials and members of the diplomatic corps upon arrival. Accompanying him is a high-level delegation including senior ministers and representatives of Mali’s National Transitional Council (NTC).

According to Kremlin and Malian presidency sources, the two heads of state are scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting on Monday, June 23, followed by extended bilateral discussions involving both governments. Talks are expected to center on joint cooperation in key sectors such as military security, energy infrastructure, transportation development, and natural resource management.

This marks General Goïta’s second official trip to Russia, the first being in July 2023 when he attended the Russia–Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg. Since then, Mali has significantly expanded its strategic engagement with Russia, notably in security and defense.

The timing of the visit comes shortly after the handover of military operations from the Wagner Group to Russia’s newly formed state-sanctioned Africa Corps, which continues to support Malian forces in combating insurgent threats across the country. In parallel, Mali recently launched a major Russia-backed gold refinery project near Bamako—one of the largest in West Africa—underscoring an ambitious push toward economic self-reliance.

Diplomatic sources suggest this visit will not only solidify bilateral ties but also reinforce Mali’s role within the broader Sahel-Russia cooperation framework. Earlier this year, Mali joined Burkina Faso and Niger in signing several joint cooperation agreements with Moscow, forming a growing strategic axis in the region.

By: TPA Staff Reporter | editor@thepointafricanews.com