Keita Says Many Malians Educated In Russia, Mali-Russia Ties 'Very Good'

PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th November, 2018) A lot of people in Mali have been educated in Russia, the two countries' relationship is "very good," President of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keita told Sputnik on Sunday on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum.

"In terms of development, our relations with Russia are very good ...

a lot of our people were educated in Russia, our defense minister speaks Russian, for example," the Malian president said, when asked how Russia and other countries could help the situation in Mali, ravaged by conflicts between the government and insurgent groups.

Keita added that the country was receiving support from the international community under the UN Security Council mandate and as part of other initiatives.

The president of Mali, whose great-grandfather fought in the battle of Verdun, arrived in Paris to take part in the ceremonies marking the centenary of the WWI end.