Russian FM in Congo: Libya, Ukraine war top agenda

On his Africa tour, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso to discuss the political crisis in Libya. Sassou-Nguesso, who chairs the African Union High-Level Committee on Libya, aims to organize an inter-Libyan summit.

During a press conference in Oyo, Congo’s top diplomat Jean-Claude Gakosso expressed Brazaville’s

for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine, criticizing those who advocate for sending troops as irresponsible.

The deadly war in Ukraine began two years ago when Russia deployed troops to the neighboring country. A conference in Switzerland is scheduled for June 15 and 16 to discuss peace, but Russia was not invited, prompting criticism from Lavrov who sees it as an attempt to maintain an anti-Russian bloc.

Despite Ukraine’s decision to outlaw negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022, Moscow and Brazzaville reaffirmed their commitment to increasing mutually beneficial cooperation at the end of Lavrov’s visit.

Lavrov also met with Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré in Ouagadougou on Tuesday to further discuss regional issues.