SOCHI. Oct 23 (Interfax) - Russia will offer Sudan support in normalizing its domestic situation and insist that international approaches to the Sudanese problem be unbiased and objective, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"We intend to further provide all necessary help and support for the normalization of your situation. We will further pursue the line that international, primarily Western, approaches to the Sudanese problem be of an unbiased and objective nature and respect the country's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity," Putin said at a meeting with Sudanese Sovereignty Council chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Sochi on Wednesday.
Sudan is among Russia's long-time reliable partners, and Moscow appreciates this, he said.
"I am aware of the current crucial internal political processes in your country. We see the signing of the constitutional declaration, as well as the formation of the Sovereignty Council and the formation of the transitional government as first steps aimed at putting the country on the track of sustainable development," Putin said, noting his appreciation for "our Sudanese partners' traditional solidarity in opposing all kinds of destructive conduct, including on international platforms."
Since late last year, Sudan has been in turmoil caused by economic downturn and subsequent popular protests. A military coup in April deposed President Omar Al-Bashir after 30 years of rule. He was later jailed.
In late August, al-Burhan, then-head of Sudan's transitional military council, was sworn in as chairman of the country's Sovereignty Council. The new premier, Abdullah Hamduk, was sworn in on August 21.
The two-day Russia-Africa economic forum began in Sochi on October 23.