Representatives of Russia and Libya are negotiating the creation of a Russian military base on the territory of the African country.
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Bloomberg sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said work on a military agreement between Kremlin dictator Putin and the commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army, which controls the country’s east, Khalifa Haftar, began shortly after their meeting in Moscow in late September 2023.
As part of this agreement, Russia may receive the right to permanently station its warships, probably in the port of Tobruk on the Mediterranean coast. Russia may also receive for its use several air bases where Wagner PPK fighters are currently stationed.
At the same time, Haftar, according to agency sources, needs air defense systems that Russia can provide. In addition, the Russian military could help Haftar with training pilots and special forces.
Agency sources note that before Russia can use the Libyan port for military purposes, it will be necessary to modernize the port infrastructure.
At the same time, former US special envoy to Libya Jonathan Weiner, in a conversation with Bloomberg, noted that the American authorities are “very serious” about the topic of a potential expansion of Russia’s military presence in Libya.
Moving Russia away from the Mediterranean was a key strategic goal – if it got ports there, it would give it the ability to spy throughout the European Union, Weiner said.
Source: Racurs
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