July 17

By Julia O’Malley

In recent decades, Russia’s foreign policy has been focused on developing relations with Western countries, but the situation has changed radically with the introduction of economic sanctions and rupture of economic, humanitarian and other ties.

Today, Russia attaches particular importance to the formation of new political and economic alliances with the African region, whose countries see Russia as a partner country and prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Experts note that Russia intends to help Africa strengthen its energy and economic sovereignty. The number of companies that find African markets attractive to expand their export activities is constantly growing, as Africa is now rated as one of the most promising destinations.

And it’s not just a direct interest or potential benefit. We are talking about the entire system of Russian-African relations. The African continent is 54 members of the UN, which for the most part did not support economic sanctions against the Russian Federation. Russian confrontation and the collective West, supplying weapons to Ukraine and thus prolonging the conflict, is regarded by some African countries as an example of the struggle against the neo-colonial system.

Africans try to maintain equal relations with all non-continental states. This neutral position allows African countries to act as negotiators in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

According to African experts, the joint efforts of the countries concerned make it possible to establish mechanisms collective response to local crises and launch the processes of regional integration in various formats. This contributes to the socio-economic development of Africa and enhances its role in the international arena.

It should be noted that Russia has always attached particular importance to strengthening friendly relations with African partners, while the Russia-Africa summit gives a certain impetus to these ties in many areas. Dozens of African countries have already given their consent to participate in the second Russia-Africa Summit.

Experts expect that the second Russia-Africa Summit, which is scheduled to be held on July 27-28 in St. Petersburg, will allow to identify new areas of constructive interaction between Russia and its African partners in the political, trade, economic, scientific, technical, humanitarian spheres and in matters
of food security.