Putin tells African leaders Moscow will not pursue ‘neo-colonialism’

What the report says

Russian President Vladimir Putin used the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow to present Russia as an alternative to former colonial powers, telling African leaders that Moscow does not pursue what he described as “neo-colonial” exploitation of the continent. According to Al Jazeera’s report, he argued that Western countries still try to use debt and financial pressure to limit African development, while Russia says it supports local processing of raw materials and job creation.

The summit brought together delegations from 48 African countries, including 22 heads of state, for talks on trade, security, grain supplies and arms deals. Putin also said Africa is becoming a more important force in global politics and the economy, even as efforts to build a multipolar world face resistance from states unwilling to accept that shift.

The report said Putin pledged to broaden the reach of Russian agricultural shipments to Africa. He stated that Russia had delivered 13 million metric tonnes of agricultural products to the continent in the first nine months of the year, though Al Jazeera also noted wider disruptions to grain and fertilizer flows caused by conflict-related tensions affecting the Black Sea and global supply chains. The summit was expected to conclude with a declaration on deeper Russia-Africa cooperation.