President Vladimir Putin has held talks with the military leader of eastern Libya, Khalifa Haftar in Moscow.
Gen Haftar’s forces relied heavily on Russian Wagner mercenaries – many of whom are still in eastern Libya – during his failed assault on Tripoli four years ago.
A Kremlin spokesman said they discussed the situation in Libya and the region.
Gen Haftar’s forces dominate the east of the country, while a rival internationally recognised Tripoli-based government controls some of the west.
Russia has long sought to boost its influence in Africa.