Russian diplomat slams French criticism of Russia-Mali cooperation

French criticism of the possible cooperation between Malian authorities and a private Russian security company not constructive and a reaction to something that does not yet exist.
Vsevolod Tkachenko, director of the Africa Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik on Tuesday.
“We believe that criticism should be substantive and based on reliable facts or evidence.
“In this case, it seems to us that the French reaction to the potential relationship of the Malian authorities with Russian private companies providing security services is somewhat exaggerated.
“A reaction to something that does not yet exist. As it seems to us, this is not the most constructive approach,’’ Tkachenko said.
Moscow has repeatedly denied allegations of the military presence of the Russian Federation in various African countries. In particular, the Kremlin stated that there were no representatives of the Russian armed forces on the territory of Mali.
When asked whether the Mali Defence Minister raised the issue of military assistance during his visit to Russia, the
press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov replied that Moscow maintained contacts, including through the military, with many countries, including the states of the African continent.
In addition, Moscow repeatedly stated that the country’s authorities had nothing to do with the work of private security companies.