Sudan’s Foreign Ministry denied on Thursday statements attributed to deputy head of its sovereign council in which he expressed support to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of two Ukrainian regions.
The remarks made by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, a few hours before the Russian invasion of Ukraine “were taken out of context,” the foreign ministry stressed in a statement.
“Russia has the right to act in the interests of its citizens and protect its people under the constitution and the law,” Hemedti said during a visit to Moscow.
He hoped that a peaceful and diplomatic solution would be reached for the crisis.
Hemedti was in Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russian government officials. He led a delegation that included Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim and senior energy and trade officials.
He held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and discussed bolstering bilateral cooperation in the political, diplomatic, economic and trade fields.
They also held consultations on bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest.
Hemedti said the talks helped establish a new understandings that will advance joint action to benefit from the great opportunities Sudan offers in the agricultural, mining, manufacturing industries, oil and gas and other economic fields.
Both sides agreed to expedite the activation of existing agreements between their countries and hold meetings of the joint ministerial committee.
Lavrov, for his part, said his country is aware of the importance of the current developments in Sudan and the ability of the Sudanese to resolve their problems.
He urged all parties not to interfere in Sudan’s affairs and underlined the deep Russian-Sudanese relations that are based on mutual respect.
Russia is keen to raise the level of cooperation with Sudan in the fields of energy, agriculture, mining, and environmental protection, Lavrov stressed.
He called for removing the obstacles hindering the flow of Russian investments, including investment laws, pointing to the readiness of Russian companies to invest in Sudan.
