Niger's junta-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine is in Russia's capital Moscow for talks aimed at deepening economic and military ties between the two countries.
He is accompanied by Defence Minister Salihou Mody as well as Niger's ministers of petroleum and trade.
Niger’s military junta, which is under tough sanctions from its West African neighbours, is seeking to diversify its partnerships.
The junta has made clear its intention to free itself of Western influence, beginning with the severing of military ties with France.