Formal diplomatic relations between Mali and the
Soviet Union were established on 14 October 1960. was appointed as the first ambassador on 17 December 1960. With the
dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Mali recognised the Russian Federation as its
successor state on 16 January 1992. The incumbent Soviet ambassador,
Aleksandr Trofimov, continued as ambassador from Russia until 1992. ==List of representatives of Russia to Mali (1960 –present)==