MOSCOW (Shahid Ghumman): Russian President Vladimir Putin, making important economic and diplomatic announcements on the second day of the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, has said that 85 percent of Russia’s trade payments with African countries are being made in rubles, while Russian companies are interested in moving some of their production activities to African countries.
Addressing the summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace on Thursday 29 October, President Putin said Russia had established a system of mutual financial transactions with African countries which helped protect trade links from the effects of external pressure and global political and economic fluctuations.
The Russian President said there were vast possibilities for setting up new industries and production centres in African countries. According to him, in the context of the current international sanctions, Russian business enterprises are interested in moving some of their production capacities to Africa, where joint projects can be started with local partners.
President Putin said mutual trade between Russia and African countries had grown one and a half times since the previous summit to reach 27 billion dollars. He said that despite positive progress in trade relations, the real potential of economic cooperation between the two sides was far greater than this.
Eight new Russian embassies in Africa
Announcing an increase in diplomatic presence in Africa, the Russian President said that since the previous summit in 2023, Russia had established eight new embassies on the continent, bringing the total number of Russian embassies to 48.
He said six Russian trade representative offices were also working in Africa, whose activities extended to 16 countries. According to President Putin, Botswana, Seychelles and Togo intend to open their embassies in Moscow in the near future, and Russia supports these steps.
Defence cooperation agreements with 45 African countries
President Putin said Russia had intergovernmental agreements on military and military-technical cooperation with 45 African countries. According to him, Russia was assisting African countries in strengthening internal stability, security and defence capabilities.
He said military personnel of African countries and officers of law enforcement agencies were also being trained in Russian educational institutions.
Humanitarian operation in Kherson, mention of Melania Trump’s support
Mentioning the Ukraine conflict at the summit, President Putin said a humanitarian operation to help the civilian population in Oleshky in the Kherson region was planned to be carried out on 29 or 30 October.
According to the Russian President, this relief initiative also has the support of the American First Lady Melania Trump. He alleged that local civilians were facing serious humanitarian difficulties because of mines laid on the area’s routes by Ukrainian forces.
President Putin said Russia was also continuing to work on the prospects of a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
Investment and new technology in Africa
The Russian President said Russian business enterprises cooperated with African countries on an equal basis and used a part of the income earned for investment in the local economy, industry, employment and the promotion of modern technology.
He said Russia wanted to expand joint projects with Africa in energy, the peaceful use of nuclear technology, minerals, industry, transport and digital services.
According to President Putin, around 40,000 African students are currently studying in Russian universities, while educational cooperation is also being promoted through Russian educational institutions and training centres in African countries.
Supporting greater representation of African countries in world bodies, the Russian President said Africa’s role in the UN Security Council and international financial institutions should be strengthened.
He said Russia and African countries supported the establishment of a multipolar world order in which the sovereignty, equality and mutual interests of all countries are respected.
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