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In a move to diversify its international allies, Burkina Faso is strengthening its defence ties with Russia.
On Tuesday, November 7th, Burkina Faso's Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Kassoum Coulibaly met with Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu in Moscow to discuss defence cooperation.
During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to enhance military cooperation between their countries.
They also discussed the possibility of Russia providing military training and equipment to Burkina Faso.
"Russian-Burkinabé relations are based solely on the principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests, and in recent years they have acquired positive dynamics," Shoigu said in a statement.
"I consider today’s meeting to be another step in the development of our friendly relations."
Coulibaly welcomed the deepening of ties with Russia, calling the negotiations between the two countries "a real practical phase."
This is not the first time that Burkina Faso has sought to strengthen its ties with Russia. In October, Burkina Faso hosted Russia's Vice Minister of Defense Iounous-Bek Evkourov in Ouagadougou.
The two sides discussed cooperation in the "operational, economic, logistical, technological and training fields."
Burkina Faso's decision to strengthen its ties with Russia comes at a time when the West is increasingly concerned about Russia's growing influence in Africa.
In recent years, Russia has signed several military and economic deals with African countries, and it has also deployed troops to the Central African Republic.
The West fears that Russia's growing influence in Africa could destabilize the region and pose a security threat to Western interests.
However, Burkina Faso's military rulers have defended their decision to strengthen ties with Russia, saying that they are simply diversifying their country's international allies.
