In an effort to find international allies in the face of Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he places “priority” on relations with African nations.
“I want to emphasize that our country has always given and will continue to give priority to co-operation with African states,” Mr Putin said on Monday at a conference on Russian-African relations in Moscow.
If a deal on Ukrainian grain exports is not extended, he declared, Russia will provide food to hungry nations in Africa at no cost.
“We are ready to supply the whole volume sent during the past time to African countries particularly requiring it from Russia free of charge to these countries,” he said, according to the Russian news agency Tass.
He declared that Russia would continue to assist African countries in producing electricity by sharing its technologies with them.
Africa has seen an increase in authority and significance in the “developing multipolar world order,” according to Mr. Putin, who noted that Russia has been boosting its influence there recently.
According to the Kremlin press office, the summit is being attended by more than 40 delegates from African nations.
In June, Mr. Putin will welcome African leaders for the second summit between Russia and Africa.
