C. African leader thanks Putin for support against rebels

The President of the Central African Republic (CAR) thanked Russian Leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday for sending Russian military personnel to his country to help battle rebel factions.

Moscow has close ties with the former French colony and has deployed hundreds of military "instructors" there to help CAR President combat insurgents opposed to his rule.

The civil war in the landlocked CAR began more than a decade ago. Fighters from Russia's mercenary group Wagner have supported government forces in the CAR since 2018. Moscow also trains thousands of local soldiers. Putin told his counterpart that he planned to maintain the level of support.