Russia expects Sahel country leaders to attend Moscow summit, Lavrov says

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia expects leaders of Sahel countries to attend an upcoming summit in Moscow, describing the dialogue between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as actively developing.

The AES groups several Sahel nations that have in recent years pivoted away from traditional Western partners, particularly former colonial power France, and toward deeper security and economic cooperation with Russia. Lavrov's comments suggest Moscow is looking to formalize and expand this relationship through high-level summitry.

Deepening ties

Russia has expanded its military and economic presence across parts of the Sahel in recent years, positioning itself as an alternative security partner for governments that have broken with Western-aligned counterterrorism and development arrangements. A summit bringing together AES leaders and Russian officials in Moscow would mark a significant symbolic and practical step in that relationship.

Lavrov did not specify an exact date for the summit or confirm which specific Sahel leaders had committed to attending, according to available reporting. The characterization of the dialogue as "actively developing" indicates continuing diplomatic engagement between Moscow and the alliance, though the concrete outcomes of that engagement remain to be seen.