Idriss Deby, the president of Chad, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday.
The Russian leader commended Deby on his success in stabilizing Chad and stated that Russia was closely following the country’s security situation.
“We are glad that it was possible to hold a referendum on the constitution,” Putin said during the brief televised meeting. “I am confident that the elections will be held at a high level in the near future. We are glad that you have managed to stabilise the situation in the country.”
#Chad's president travels to #Moscow at the invitation of #Russia's president Putin. Just a week ago, the interim prime minister of Chad's neighboring country #Niger was in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/fKnzTmnaW4
— Patrick Heinisch (@PatrickHeinisc1) January 23, 2024
Deby expressed condolences to Putin after a military plane crashed in Belgorod, Russia, near Ukraine, on Wednesday.
The plane was carrying 74 individuals, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were scheduled to be switched. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod area, confirmed that all were slain.
“I would like, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people, to express my sincere condolences for these deaths and those of the soldiers,” said Deby.
Deby has led Chad since 2021, taking control in a coup after the death of his father, long-serving president Idriss Deby.
While Chad has been viewed as the final bastion of French influence in the region, against a backdrop of expanding Russian dominance, the meeting in Moscow suggests that Putin may be attempting to strengthen ties with the Sahelian country.
The meeting comes a week after Niger’s prime minister visited Moscow and reached an agreement to strengthen military cooperation.
There are rumors circulating that Chadian President Mahamat Déby is on his way to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. Rumors have been circulating for months of an impending security deal bw Chad-Russia, similar to what Niger signed. I'll be 👀https://t.co/BsF7xv53zL
— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) January 22, 2024