MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/. Russia keeps its word in terms of providing aid to African countries, Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulaye Diop said.

"Mali is grateful to Russia who keeps its word and provides assistance by sending humanitarian aid. This includes the export of [Russian] wheat, fertilizers and diesel fuel," he pointed out at a press conference ahead of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The top Malian diplomat added that ties between the two countries had grown stronger after a meeting between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Mali’s Interim President Assimi Goita on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in July 2023.

Food security is an important aspect of bilateral cooperation. In particular, Russia delivered 25,000 metric tons of free grain to Mali in the past few months. In July 2023, Moscow allocated $2 mln to purchase another food shipment for Mali through United Nations institutions. The two countries’ foreign ministers are expected to discuss food supplies at their meeting in Moscow, along with political, trade, economic and defense cooperation, as well as the situation in the region.