This development comes amid Burkina Faso’s growing ties with Russia following a coup d’état in September 2022.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Crimean Deputy Prime Minister Georgiy Muradov indicated discussions with Burkina Faso and other African countries regarding potential trade missions. He highlighted North African and Sahel nations like Niger, Mali, and Chad as showing particular interest in Crimea. “We aim to promote direct trade between these countries and Crimea, offering fair and competitive prices,” Muradov said, suggesting Crimea could act as a middleman. Crimean officials are reportedly preparing proposals for Crimean businesses interested in collaborating with Burkina Faso. The first trade missions to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, could be sent by year’s end. Muradov outlined Russia’s desire to directly purchase African goods like fruit, coffee, cocoa, and juice concentrates, currently acquired through intermediaries at higher costs. Conversely, African nations are interested in Crimean agricultural products (wheat, flour, meat, dairy), fertilizers, household appliances, and even shipbuilding services.
DS/ac/fss/abj/APA