The Russian president has praised African nations’ development potential and defense of their sovereignty
Africa holds a special place for Russia, rooted in shared values of sovereignty and self-determination, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the plenary session of the VTB Investment Forum ‘Russia is Calling!’, Putin emphasized the connection between Russia and African nations.
“Africa may seem geographically distant, but it is a continent close to us in spirit,” the Russian leader said, noting that African nations “cherish their sovereignty” and make decisions that serve the interests of their people.
Putin highlighted Africa’s immense potential, saying that view is shared globally, even by Western experts. “The African continent has very good development prospects… Many of my friends from Germany and other countries say that they too want and plan to increase their activities on the African continent,” he remarked.
The Russian president announced the establishment of a fund aimed at fostering cooperation between Russia and Africa. “We will create new tools… to develop our cooperation with African countries. I am confident that, both bilaterally and in our work with various African organizations, we will increase our efforts,” he said.
Putin acknowledged, however, that the current trade level between Russia and Africa – around $25 billion – is not high enough. He stressed the need to expand economic ties, citing the commitment shown by African leaders at previous high-level summits.
”We are united, particularly by the promising development of the African continent. Of course, we will do everything to increase this level,” Putin stressed.
Speaking at the inaugural ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in November, held in the Sirius Federal Territory near Sochi, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to supporting African nations in key areas, including combating terrorism, epidemic diseases, and food insecurity. He emphasized Russia’s dedication to sustainable development and addressing natural disasters across the continent.
Also last month, a Russian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak launched a diplomatic and economic tour of Sahel nations, representing President Vladimir Putin. The delegation visited Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to bolster cooperation in trade, energy, and infrastructure development.
