Grain shipments to be discussed at second Russia-Africa summit
Russian President Putin is preparing to host African leaders in St. Peterburg for a second meeting. The agenda of the 17 leaders will include the war in Ukraine and the problem of grain and fertilizer in African countries after the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Agreement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host African leaders in St. Petersburg for the Russia-Africa summit on Thursday and Friday.
The Kremlin confirmed that 49 of 54 African countries and 17 leaders will attend the summit.
⚡️ President of Russia Vladimir #Putin to meet personally with each of 17 African leaders coming to #Russia–#Africa Summit.
🤝 As of today, 49 out of the 54 countries on the continent have confirmed their participation in the Second Russia–Africa Summit. pic.twitter.com/dwBBbk2DVz
The meeting with African leaders will play a key role for Putin to build support in Africa as his international reputation weakens.
RUSSIA-AFRICA SUMMIT WILL TAKE PLACE FOR THE SECOND TIME
It will be the second time the leaders will meet after the first summit took place in Sochi in southern Russia in 2019.
"Today, Africa is asserting itself more confidently as one of the poles of the emerging multipolar world," the Russian President said ahead of the event.
The Russian presidency accused Western countries of trying to deter participants.
"Almost all African states have been subjected to unprecedented pressure," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.
Despite the alleged pressure from Western countries, African leaders have already started attending the conference.
"On July 28, Vladimir Putin is scheduled to have a working lunch with a group of leaders of African states on Ukraine issues," the Kremlin said in a statement.
Among them is South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, one of Putin's allies in Africa.
PUTIN GUARANTEES GRAIN TO AFRICA
Putin is expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and the grain shortages affecting Africa after the suspension of the Grain Agreement. Putin has previously promised grain shipments to Africa.
Isolated on the international scene since launching the military campaign in Ukraine, Putin still has support in several African countries.
"Today the partnership is constructive, confident and turned towards the future," Putin wrote on the Kremlin website.
According to Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, Putin will make a major statement on the issue at the summit. Technology and energy resources are also expected to be on the agenda.
Source: rfi
