Haftar meets with Putin as Russia eyes strategic expansion in Libya

Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) that controls eastern Libya, recently held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, according to The Arab Weekly, citing a Kremlin announcement.

Haftar was reportedly accompanied by his son and designated successor, Saddam Haftar, who was in the United States to meet with state department officials the week prior. During the Moscow visit, Haftar also met with key Russian officials, including Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

According to a statement on the LNA’s official Facebook page, the discussions with Belousov focused on regional developments and strengthening military cooperation on shared concerns. Haftar reportedly told Russian officials that Libya needed “trusted partners” to help rebuild its defense sector.

Russia is believed to be exploring the establishment of a naval base in Benghazi or Tobruk, following its withdrawal from the Tartus port in Syria. The move comes after the toppling of Moscow-backed former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia in December.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has expressed concern over Russia's strategic shift from Syria to Libya, warning that it places hostile naval forces dangerously close—just “two steps away”—from Italian waters.

Analysts view Russia’s deepening ties with Libya as part of a broader effort to expand influence across the Sahel region. Recent coups in countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso have distanced these nations from the West, creating opportunities for closer military and political collaboration with Moscow.