Bamako and Moscow are only involved in a state-to-state partnership and Russia is only supporting the country's national defence and security forces, Mali says.
The bloc imposed sanctions on Russian private military company Wagner Group, as well as on three other entities and individuals, including former Russian military intelligence officers accused of mercenary work in Ukraine.
UN experts asserted that the Wagner Group, which works closely with police and the CAR army, has been committing systemic human rights and international humanitarian law violations.
Greek forces could be deployed in Africa under last week's deal, which has been described by the government as historic but drawn massive criticism from the opposition parties as the move could expose Greece to numerous threats.
French defence minister accuses military junta of "hypocrisy" and "bad faith" after the African country's prime minister said Paris was abandoning it.
French foreign and defence ministers strongly opposed the agreement between Mali’s junta and the Wagner group, a stepping stone for Russian mercenaries to enter the West African country.
Russia's shuttle diplomacy around the Middle East projects is an attempt to project power as the US looks to re-calibrate its approach in the region.
Forces like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt that have destabilised the UN-backed government in Libya may be shifting their approach.
UN envoy Stephanie Williams calls the situation in Libya a “serious crisis”.
United Arab Emirates has been providing assistance to Russian mercenaries, according to a US Defense Intelligence Agency assessment reported by Foreign Policy magazine. Wagner supports the Haftar militia against the UN-backed government in Libya.
The first tranche of sanctions targeted 3 individuals and two mining companies that work on behalf of Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the Putin ally who was indicted by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
The protesters gathered in the Belarus' capital of Minsk to support opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
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