Russian President Vladimir Putin stormed Burkina Faso on Tuesday for a private meeting with the country’s Interim military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore.

It is yet unclear why the duo met, but speculations are that their meeting might not be unconnected with the ongoing crisis in the Niger Republic.

Naija News reports that the military junta in Niger, led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, is still holding captive the democratically elected President Mohammed Bazoum, who was ousted weeks ago.

There have been concerns by international bodies and concerned stakeholders since Tchiani’s led junta could not reach an agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation regarding the restoration of democracy in Niger.

Also, the junta is planning to evict French and US troops from the country and end all Memorandum of Understanding agreements with France.

Reports, however, emerging on Tuesday speculated that Puttin’s meeting with Burkina Faso’s Traore could be part of the Russian President’s plans to meet with French-speaking West African countries ruled by the military.

Jackson Hinkle posted a short clip of the Russian leader’s meeting with Traore on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

@jacksonhinkle wrote, “Putin held a private meeting with the world’s youngest leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso.”

Naija News understands that Traore is the world’s youngest currently serving leader after becoming the interim leader of Burkina Faso following the coup on 30th September 2022, which ousted interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

Mali and Burkina Faso have pledged their support to Niger since the latter severed its relationship with ECOWAS.