'Russian leadership regards developing ties with the continent as a strategic foreign policy objective,' Moscow's top Africa diplomat Oleg Ozerov told Newsweek.
, Moscow has largely stepped in with security assistance, both officially and through private military organizations such as the Wagner Group, a group that first came to international light amid the first outbreak of unrest in Ukraine in 2014.
From 2017 through 2021, Russia also commanded a significant lead in weapons exports to Africa, accounting for some 44 percent of major arms transfers to Africa, more than the U.S., China and France combined, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. As the conflict in Ukraine continued to disrupt global grain supplies, a situation partially relieved by a Turkish-mediated deal signed by Moscow and Kyiv in July, Ozerov said food security would be a priority discussion at next year's summit in Saint Petersburg and that Russia was prepared to meet commitments in areas such as exports of agricultural goods, fertilizers, energy and other essential goods.
Russia's leading export is energy. And, for African nations, Ozerov said Russia has"always advocated for the diversification of energy resources, including through construction and modernization of hydroelectric power plants, development of nuclear energy, and use of natural gas as a clean fuel to reduce the environmental impact—instead of letting this valuable resource be drained by the European markets.
He argued Moscow would continue to"actively support projects by international development institutions in African countries aimed at facilitating economic growth and financial stability of national economies."
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