The paramilitary group Wagner will continue to operate in Mali and in the Central African Republic, assured this Monday the head of Russian diplomacy, who also affirms that the rebellion of this organization in Russia will not affect the relationship between Moscow and its allies. Wagner members work in Mali and the Central African Republic “as instructors. This work will of course continue, ”said Sergei Lavrov in an interview with the RT channel.
The Russian minister considered that Europe and France “having abandoned CAR and Mali”, these countries turned to Russia and Wagner to have military instructors and “ensure the security of their leaders”. For Westerners, Wagner is an instrument of Russian influence intended to advance the interests of Moscow, to compete with those of Europeans. The armed group is also accused of committing abuses where it is deployed and of extorting natural resources.
Sergei Lavrov also felt that the armed rebellion of Wagner’s leader, Evgueni Prigojine, and his men deployed in Ukraine was not going to change anything in Russia’s relations with its allies. “There have been many calls (from foreign partners) to President (Vladimir) Putin (…) to express words of support,” he said. “With partners and friends, no (it doesn’t change anything). As for the others (countries), frankly, I don’t care. Relations with the collective West are destroyed, so one episode more or less…”, estimated the diplomat.