Sudan’s al-Burhan invited to Russia-Arab summit

May 20, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, on Tuesday received an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the Russia-Arab Summit.

The summit, scheduled for Oct. 15, will be the first of its kind. Putin invited Arab leaders and the Secretary-General of the Arab League to participate in it to discuss strengthening cooperation and finding ways to ensure peace and security in the Middle East and North Africa.

Al-Burhan on Tuesday received Andrei Chernovol, Russia’s ambassador to Sudan.

The Sovereign Council stated, “Al-Burhan received an invitation from Vladimir Putin to participate in the Russia-Arab Summit.”

It added that the meeting between al-Burhan and the Russian ambassador discussed joint cooperation, the trajectory of bilateral relations and ways to develop them, in addition to issues of mutual interest and developments in Sudan.

Sudan enjoys strong support from Russia, especially in the U.N. Security Council, where Moscow holds veto power. On Nov. 18, Russia used its veto to block a draft resolution concerning civilian protection put forward by Britain and Sierra Leone.

Khartoum and Moscow have signed several agreements for Russian investment in oil, mining, energy and transport. They also reached an understanding on using local currencies to settle trade transactions.

Russia is seeking to establish a naval base on the Red Sea coast, having signed an agreement with Sudan in this regard, but the actual implementation of the step remains stalled.