Russia is building its engagement with Africa on the basis of joint development rather than following the approach of colonial powers, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on 1 October at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club.
“We want to work with Africa, we are working with Africa and we will continue to do so. But our aim is not, as it was for the colonial powers, to make money or steal something from Africa, but to develop together,” Putin said.
According to him, Africa is a promising continent due to its young and growing population.
“All African states will undoubtedly seek to improve the living standards of this growing, young population. And this, of course, creates opportunities for investment and co-operation,” the president stressed.
Putin added that specific areas of co-operation are expected to be discussed at the upcoming Russia–Africa Summit, which will take place in Moscow on 28–29 October.
In September, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Western countries were putting pressure on African states in an attempt to prevent them from participating in the third Russia–Africa Summit. According to her, such actions by the “collective Western minority are yet another example of its short-sighted policy”. (Afr Initiative/GSF)
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