The United States is stepping up pressure on Russia amid Moscow’s intensified involvement in the Libyan conflict and its growing role in propping up Khalifa Hifter, the rebellious field marshal who commands the self-styled Libya National Army. In particular, the State Department commended the Maltese government’s May 26 announcement of its seizure of $1.1 billion in counterfeit Libyan currency printed by Russia’s Goznak and ordered by a central bank from eastern Libya affiliated with Hifter. Washington believes that this incident once again highlights Russia’s destabilizing role in Libya and the importance of countering the Kremlin.

Goznak replied that the Libya Panel of Experts under the UN Security Council did not regard the shipment of such banknotes from Russia as a breach of the sanctions regime.

In turn, Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), told Tunisian Defense Minister Imed Hazgui during a May 28 telephone call that he was ready to deploy the US Security Force Assistant Brigades in Tunisia, citing concerns about Russia’s activities in Libya. Tunisian and American officials also agreed to cooperate to ensure regional security and counter the escalation on the ground in response to Moscow’s heightened military activity.

“As Russia continues to fan the flames of the Libyan conflict, regional security in North Africa is a heightened concern. We’re looking at new ways to address mutual security concerns with Tunisia,” read the AFRICOM statement.