Bloomberg: Russia’s plans to establish military bases in Libya spark concern in U.S. over potential ‘to spy on all of E.U.’

The Russian authorities are in talks to establish military bases in Libya, reports Bloomberg. The outlet’s sources, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that the deal is being negotiated following a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Khalifa Haftar, Libya’s eastern military commander, in Moscow in late September 2023.

Russia may be given docking rights for its warships, most likely at the port in the city of Tobruk, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Russia might also be granted access to multiple air bases currently hosting several Wagner Group fighters.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, Haftar needs air defense systems, which Russia can supply. Russia could also help train Libyan air force pilots and special forces.

The sources add that it would be necessary to modernize the port’s infrastructure before Russia would be able to use it for military purposes.

A former U.S. special envoy for Libya, Jonathan Winer, told Bloomberg that the U.S. authorities have been taking the threat of Russia expanding its presence in Libya “very seriously.” “Keeping Russia out of the Mediterranean has been a key strategic objective — if Russia obtains ports there, that gives it the ability to spy on all of the European Union,” said Winer.