Putin Pushes for Sudan Naval Base as US Warns of ‘Serious Consequences’

The US is sounding alarm bells over Russia’s move to open a naval base in Sudan, warning that such a deal could bring "serious consequences" for everyone involved. The State Department has called on Sudan (and anyone else who’ll listen) to steer clear of Russian defense deals, especially as the Kremlin sets its sights on a strategic slice of the Red Sea coast at Port Sudan.

Moscow’s plan is no small feat: they’re aiming for a naval facility capable of hosting warships and even nuclear-powered subs. That would plant Russia’s flag just down the coast from Djibouti, where the US and China already have military bases vying for influence. With Russia’s lease on its only other foreign naval base in Syria looking shaky, Port Sudan could become the Kremlin’s last outpost on distant shores.

Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military analyst, explained that Sudan’s location is prime real estate for Russia’s ambitions in Africa. Putin is itching to join the exclusive ‘naval big boys club’ on the Horn of Africa, a region already crowded with US and Chinese power plays. For Russia, this isn’t just about parking some ships; it’s about intelligence gathering, weapons transfers, and getting up close to rivals.

John Hardie of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that with the future of Russia’s Tartus facility in Syria uncertain, the Sudan base has become even more important for Moscow. The Red Sea is a global artery—about 12% of the world’s shipping and a massive chunk of oil tanker traffic pass through the Suez Canal. That means whoever controls this area could, in theory, squeeze global trade if things get ugly.

Koffler warned that if the West ramps up pressure on Russia—say, over Ukraine—Putin might not hesitate to cause disruption in these waters. That’s one way to make everyone pay attention: threaten the world’s shipping lanes and watch the chaos ripple out.

The deal between Sudan and Russia was sealed back in February after a high-level meeting in Moscow. But the US State Department isn’t impressed, saying any cooperation with Russia could isolate Sudan further, deepen its ongoing conflict, and destabilize the whole region. Expect threats of sanctions—and a lot of finger-wagging—if Sudan follows through.

Meanwhile, Sudan is still reeling from a brutal civil war that’s dragged on for over two years. The violence, especially around the city of Al Fasher and Zamzam refugee camp in Darfur, has left tens of thousands dead and forced 13 million people from their homes. The UN has called it the world’s worst humanitarian crisis; UNICEF went straight for "hell on earth." Not exactly the kind of place you want to build your new navy hangout.

Sudan’s troubles don’t end with the Russians. The rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have not only continued their attacks—leaving scores dead in recent days—but have also announced plans to set up a rival government. The US warns this could tear the country apart even more and spill instability across the region.

Caleb Weiss, editor at the FDD's Long War Journal, put some of the blame for the ongoing Sudanese war on the Biden administration, saying it hasn’t pushed hard enough for real peace talks or cracked down on outside backers. In a region where everyone seems to have a dog in the fight, the prospects for peace look pretty dim for now.