Putin woos African leaders at a summit in Russia with promises of expanding trade and other ties
abcnews.go.comRussian President Vladimir Putin is courting leaders from Africa at a summit, hailing the continent’s growing role in global affairs and offering to expand political and business ties
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin courted leaders from Africa at a summit on Friday, hailing the continent's growing role in global affairs and offering to expand political and business ties.
Addressing the two-day Russia-Africa summit, Putin said Moscow will closely analyze a peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have sought to pursue.
“This is an acute issue, and we aren't evading its consideration,” Putin said, emphasizing that Russia is treating the African initiative with respect and “looking at it attentively.”
He encouraged the African leaders to talk to Ukraine, which has refused to engage in talks until Russian troops pull back. “I believe it's necessary to also talk to the other side, although we are grateful to our African friends for their attention to the issue,” Putin said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said African leaders were looking forward to engaging further with Putin later Friday on their peace proposal. Ramaphosa, who leads sub-Saharan Africa’s most developed country, also spoke out against exploitation of the continent, saying that “we must stop those countries that count their wealth and their assets in terms of the minerals that reside in African soil.”
Putin in his speech reaffirmed his pledge that Russia will maintain steady supplies of grain and other agricultural products to the continent after its withdrawal from a deal allowing grain shipments from Ukraine. Moscow's withdrawal from the Black Sea agreement has fueled concerns of a global food crisis.
“Russia will
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