A solemn reception was held on October 28 at the Kremlin in honour of the Heads of delegations – participants in the Third Russia–Africa Summit. 🎙 Welcoming remarks by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at a reception in honour of the participants in the Third Russia–Africa Summit (Moscow, October 28, 2026) 💬 Vladimir Putin: In its time, the Soviet Union provided substantial assistance to the peoples of Africa in breaking free from the shackles of colonial dependence and strengthening their sovereignty and national security. The USSR helped develop agriculture and energy, build new factories and enterprises, roads, schools and hospitals, which played a major role in overcoming the acute socioeconomic problems facing the newly independent African states. 🎓 Hundreds of thousands of Africans received a quality education and advanced knowledge in the USSR and later in Russia, becoming highly qualified specialists in the professions most needed by their economies. They made, and continue to make, an invaluable contribution to their home countries. Russia continues, and will continue, this well-established practice of training African professionals. Russia and Africa share a commitment to a just and #MultipolarWorld order, free from diktat and based on the sovereign equality of states and respect for their values and cultures. 🤝 We work closely together in many international forums, including the #UN, coordinating our positions on key global and regional issues. Russia seeks to make a tangible contribution to addressing the challenges facing Africa, to take an active part in resolving ongoing crises and preventing new sources of tension on the continent, and to help combat terrorism and extremism, epidemics and hunger, while ensuring food, digital and environmental security. ☝️ There is a fine African proverb: when the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind. Indeed, however the world may change, whatever the political or economic circumstances, the spirit and principles of Russia’s relations with African countries remain unchanged. We are true friends and partners, always open to honest, constructive cooperation and able to listen to and understand one another. This enables us to steadily expand cooperation across all areas, work together to find effective responses to the key challenges and threats of our time, and promote growth for all, for the benefit of our countries and peoples. *** 🥂 Allow me to propose a toast to the African Heads of State and Leaders of African integration associations present here; to the further development of comprehensive cooperation between Russia and the countries of the African continent; to the well-being, peace and prosperity of our countries and peoples; and to the health of all participants in the Moscow Summit. Read in full #RussiaAfrica