St. Petersburg, Russia – President Vladimir Putin has affirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening relations with African countries across multiple sectors, promising to provide free supplies of grains to tackle food insecurity on the continent.
In a statement titled “Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress, and a Successful Future,” ahead of the second Russia-Africa Summit and Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum scheduled for July 27 and July 28 in St. Petersburg, Putin emphasized the significance of the Summits in bolstering cooperation between Russia and Africa for the coming decades of the 21st century.
Putin highlighted Russia’s historical support to African nations in various domains, including education, infrastructure, power, health, defense, and security, dating back to the times of the Soviet Union.
In a bid to address food insecurity in certain African countries, Putin pledged Russia’s continuous and free supply of grain to the continent, recognizing the vital role of uninterrupted food supplies in socio-economic development and political stability.
However, the Kremlin’s leader expressed disappointment over a recent “grain deal” that failed to meet humanitarian objectives and supply grains to Africa without charges. Consequently, Russia will no longer participate in the said deal.
Putin underscored Russia’s commitment to replace Ukrainian grain on both commercial and free-of-charge bases, pointing out that the country is anticipating another record harvest this year.
Despite sanctions, Russia remains dedicated to providing grain, food products, fertilizers, and other goods to Africa. Putin emphasized the importance of pragmatic and mutually beneficial relations, not only with individual African states but also with regional integration associations and the African Union.
Addressing Africa’s challenges, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the “African solutions to African problems” principle, supporting African countries in their quest for self-determination, justice, and their legitimate rights. Russia advocates granting African nations a rightful place in international structures like the UN Security Council and the G20, along with reforming global financial and trade institutions to cater to African interests.
Putin expressed concern over the unstable global situation, characterized by ongoing conflicts and emerging threats. He stressed the importance of solidarity and cooperation to tackle these challenges effectively.
Regarding education, Putin pledged to continue supporting African countries in building their national human resource capacity. Russia currently hosts approximately 35,000 African students, with over 6,000 receiving Russian government scholarships. The country plans to increase the number of scholarships, promote paid higher education options, and foster inter-university ties to facilitate knowledge exchange.
At the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit, President Bola Tinubu will be represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, accompanied by a large Nigerian delegation from the government, private, and business sectors. The Summit aims to further strengthen ties between Russia and Africa, promoting mutual prosperity and cooperation for a successful future.
