Burkina Faso's interim leader praises Russia as key partner.

Burkina Faso's interim President Ibrahim Traore has hailed Russia as a strategic ally, stating that Russia is a major supplier of military equipment. However, he denied reports that Russian mercenaries were supporting Burkinabe forces in their fight against Islamist armed groups. France withdrew its forces from Mali last year after the junta there started working with Russian military contractor Wagner Group to fight the insurgents linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.