Kremlin chief makes promise to Traoré

Ibrahim Traoré and Vladimir Putin met face-to-face in Moscow as the meeting was part of a visit to the Russian capital to commemorate the victory over Nazism.

Burkina Faso’s President of the Transition exchanged views with his Russian counterpart on Saturday, May 10.

The two men discussed the development of cooperation between their countries, since the reopening of the Russian embassy in Ouagadougou two years ago.

Transitional President Captain Ibrahim Traoré called for closer military cooperation and the transfer of knowledge, because ending the war, having a strong army and launching the development of Burkina Faso is the essence of my fight, he said.

During the meeting, the Russian president stressed that what unites Russia and Burkina Faso today is the fight against extremism and terrorism, and that it is a question of restoring constitutional order in the face of radical groups in certain regions of Burkina Faso.

Vladimir Putin acknowledged that trade between the two countries is modest, but wants to work to strengthen economic relations and trade.

Captain Traoré added that Russia could now help Burkina Faso with knowledge, in order to train its young people.

In return, the Russian president promised to double the number of scholarships awarded to Burkinabe citizens.