Putin discusses security cooperation with West and Central African leaders
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin discussed security and economic cooperation with Mali's junta leader Assimi Goita by phone, both countries said, a day after Putin held a similar call with the junta leader in neighbouring Niger. "We discussed bilateral issues, particularly the security and economic areas," Goita wrote on X. "We agreed to cooperate further in the fight against terrorism." The Kremlin confirmed the call and said the two leaders agreed to forge closer ties. Mali has in recent years become one of Russia's closest African allies, with the Wagner Group mercenary force deploying there to fight jihadist insurgencies rebels in…