Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a significant pledge to support the Africa in various sectors.
His commitment was revealed in a statement titled “Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress, and a Successful Future,” released ahead of the second Russia-Africa Summit and Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
The upcoming Summits, scheduled for July 27 and July 28 in St. Petersburg, Russia, aim to forge stronger bonds between Russia and Africa, with a focus on identifying key areas of cooperation for the decades ahead.
President Putin emphasized the immense importance Russia places on these Summits, expressing hopes for the adoption of a comprehensive Declaration, along with several joint statements, and the extension of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan until 2026.
Citing a long history of collaboration, Putin highlighted Russia’s longstanding support to African nations in crucial sectors such as education, infrastructure, power, health, defense, and security, which dates back to the era of the Soviet Union and continues to this day.
“On this basis, we have always paid great attention to issues related to the supply of wheat, barley, maize and other crops to African countries.
“We have done so both on a contractual basis and free of charge as humanitarian aid, including through the United Nations Food Programme.
“I want to give assurances that our country is capable of replacing the Ukrainian grain both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis, especially as we expect another record harvest this year.
“Notwithstanding the sanctions, Russia will continue its energetic efforts to provide supplies of grain, food products, fertilisers and other goods to Africa.
“We highly value and will further develop the full spectrum of economic ties with Africa—with individual states as well as regional integration associations and, naturally, with the African Union.
“We welcome this organisation’s strategic course towards further economic integration and the formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“We are ready to build pragmatic, mutually beneficial relations, including within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.
“We are also willing to step up cooperation with other regional integration organisations on the continent,” Putin stated.
On deepening relations with Africa, Putin stated that Russia has always strictly adhered to the “African solutions to African problems” principle, standing in solidarity with Africans in their struggle for self-determination, justice and their legitimate rights.
“We stand for granting African countries their rightful place in the structures that determine the world’s fate, including the UN Security Council and the G20, as well as for reforming the global financial and trade institutions in a way that meets their interests.
“Regrettably, we see that the situation in the world today is far from stable. The long-standing conflicts that exist in nearly every region are deepening, and new threats and challenges are emerging,” Putin added.
