WASHINGTON: US suspects Russian mercenary company Wagner Corporation is seeking to ship weapons to militants in Ukraine through the West African country of Mali, according to State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
“We believe Wagner is trying to cover up efforts to purchase military equipment for use in Ukraine, including working through third-party countries that are not being used in Ukraine,” Miller said at a press conference on Monday. they have a place.
“We were informed that Wagner was looking to transport materials purchased to support the Russian war through Mali and was willing to use fake documents for these transactions,” Miller said.
The US believes that Wagner Corporation is trying to buy military systems from “foreign suppliers and move these weapons over to Mali,” Miller said, adding that there was no indication of any indication. these arms purchases have been completed or made.
The Malian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Senior US officials regularly condemn the Wagner Group’s activities in Africa – particularly in Mali and the Central African Republic – for further destabilizing countries already struggling with conflict sudden.
foreign minister Antony Blinkenthe person who punished the group and the leader of the group Yevgeny Prigozhinsaid mercenary outfits exploit African resources and are “an epidemic for people in the countries that have chosen to work with them.”
Miller’s comments about Mali come less than two weeks after the US ambassador to South Africa sparked diplomatic controversy when he said a Russian cargo ship had collected weapons after docking at the end of the year. last year at Simon’s Town Naval Base in Cape Town.
The allegations raised concerns among investors that the United States could sanction South Africa, prompting the government in Pretoria to summon Ambassador Reuben Brigety, after which the South African said in a statement that he was “excessive.” Admit that I’ve crossed the line and apologize.” unreservedly.”
Brigety said on May 11 that he would “bet his life” on the claim that weapons were loaded onto a Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, in December. When asked about the charges Allegedly, another State Department spokesman, Vedant Patel, said on May 15 that the United States did indeed have “serious concerns” about the sanctioned ship docking in Cape Town.
Miller on Monday reiterated the department’s concerns about the South African incident, though declined to say whether the Wagner Group was suspected of involvement or whether the problems in the two countries were related. or not.
“We believe Wagner is trying to cover up efforts to purchase military equipment for use in Ukraine, including working through third-party countries that are not being used in Ukraine,” Miller said at a press conference on Monday. they have a place.
“We were informed that Wagner was looking to transport materials purchased to support the Russian war through Mali and was willing to use fake documents for these transactions,” Miller said.
The US believes that Wagner Corporation is trying to buy military systems from “foreign suppliers and move these weapons over to Mali,” Miller said, adding that there was no indication of any indication. these arms purchases have been completed or made.
The Malian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Senior US officials regularly condemn the Wagner Group’s activities in Africa – particularly in Mali and the Central African Republic – for further destabilizing countries already struggling with conflict sudden.
foreign minister Antony Blinkenthe person who punished the group and the leader of the group Yevgeny Prigozhinsaid mercenary outfits exploit African resources and are “an epidemic for people in the countries that have chosen to work with them.”
Miller’s comments about Mali come less than two weeks after the US ambassador to South Africa sparked diplomatic controversy when he said a Russian cargo ship had collected weapons after docking at the end of the year. last year at Simon’s Town Naval Base in Cape Town.
The allegations raised concerns among investors that the United States could sanction South Africa, prompting the government in Pretoria to summon Ambassador Reuben Brigety, after which the South African said in a statement that he was “excessive.” Admit that I’ve crossed the line and apologize.” unreservedly.”
Brigety said on May 11 that he would “bet his life” on the claim that weapons were loaded onto a Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, in December. When asked about the charges Allegedly, another State Department spokesman, Vedant Patel, said on May 15 that the United States did indeed have “serious concerns” about the sanctioned ship docking in Cape Town.
Miller on Monday reiterated the department’s concerns about the South African incident, though declined to say whether the Wagner Group was suspected of involvement or whether the problems in the two countries were related. or not.
