Russia: Ready to Enhance African Nations' Sovereignty Through a Partnership Based on Equality and Mutual Respect

Moscow, October 19 (KUNA) -- Russia affirmed on Monday its readiness to enhance its partnership with African countries across various fields, supporting their sovereignty and boosting opportunities for joint development, amid what it described as “growing African demand for cooperation based on equality and mutual respect.” Tatiana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Partnerships with Africa at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference held at the International Multimedia Media Center of the state-owned Russia Today group that her country “is ready to be a reliable partner for African nations in strengthening their sovereignty across various fields, following the observed growing interest of African countries in this type of cooperation based on equality and mutual respect.”

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stated that his country would continue working with African nations to achieve joint development, emphasizing that “Russian-African cooperation differs from previous colonial practices.” Putin added that “the African continent boasts promising prospects and significant economic potential, while its young demographic structure and continuous population growth provide broad opportunities for investment and development.”

In a related development, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement that preparations for the Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled to be held in Moscow, have reached their final stages, expressing hope that African delegates would have a pleasant stay during their participation in the summit. The statement noted that the main agenda of the upcoming summit would focus on enhancing economic and investment cooperation between Moscow and African countries.

These remarks come within the framework of Russia’s efforts to strengthen its ties with African nations. Cooperation between the two sides has evolved through their summits in 2019 and 2023, covering areas such as politics, security, economy, science, and technology. In December 2025, both sides reaffirmed during the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, held in Cairo, the importance of continuing and enhancing cooperation and strengthening the sovereignty of African states, as Moscow prepares to host the third Russia-Africa Summit in the autumn of this year. (End) D.A.N./A.B.Kh