Putin Pledges to Boost Russia’s Africa Ties as He Blasts Rivals
- Russia to increase diplomatic presence in Africa, Putin said
- President hosts 17 heads of state at Russia-Africa summit
Vladimir Putin and African leaders and heads of delegations in Saint Petersburg, on July 28.
Photographer: Alexey Danichev/AFP/Getty Images
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President Vladimir Putin told African leaders he’s committed to expanding Russia’s role on the continent as he hit out at rival powers for what he said were attempts to impose their rules.
“Russia’s focus on Africa is steadily increasing, which is demonstrated by our plans to expand our diplomatic presence in the continent,” Putin said Friday on the second day of the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg. “The main thing that unites Russia and Africa is their efforts to fight for true sovereignty — the era of hegemony of one or of a group of states is fading into the past.”