Ukraine's Zelensky meets Sudanese leader, discusses Russian paramilitaries

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In this handout photograph taken and released by Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on September 23, 2023, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) speaks with President of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (L) during their meeting at Shannon Airport, in Shannon, western Ireland. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Mr Zelensky (right) held an impromptu meeting with Mr Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (left) at Shannon Airport, in Ireland.

PHOTO: AFP

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KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday he held an impromptu meeting in Ireland's Shannon airport with the head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Mr Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and that they discussed Russia-funded armed groups.

"We discussed our common security challenges, namely the activities of illegal armed groups financed by Russia," Mr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

He thanked Sudan, which is currently in the midst of a deadly civil war, for its support of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Russia's Wagner mercenary group has operated in Ukraine throughout Moscow's invasion.

Western diplomats and media have said the group is also present in Sudan, although Wagner denied this. REUTERS

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