🎙 Remarks by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin at the second plenary session of the Russia–Africa Summit (October 29, Moscow) Key talking points: • Russia and Africa are bound by truly strong ties of friendship and close partnership. We are natural allies in building a multipolar, genuinely democratic world order – a world order free from diktat and double standards, based on respect for the norms of international law and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnectedness. • Russia has been and remains interested in seeing African countries defend their sovereignty, develop with confidence and strengthen their economies and social spheres. To achieve these objectives, we are ready to continue working closely with you in all these areas. • Many Russian companies have long been successfully implementing major investment projects in Africa, covering a wide range of sectors, including energy production, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, mining and mineral extraction, industrial cooperation, logistics, tourism and several other areas. • Russian businesses consistently demonstrate integrity, respect and good faith in their cooperation with African partners. They work on an equal footing with their partners and, rather than extracting profits as the former colonial powers once did, they do the opposite: they invest and reinvest their earnings in the development of your national economies. They share advanced technologies and expertise, make extensive use of local subcontractors, establish new production facilities and create jobs. • Russia is a reliable supplier of food and agricultural products to African markets, making a tangible contribution to ensuring food security across the continent. In particular, we supplied more than 18 million tonnes of grain to Africa in 2025, followed by another 13 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2026 alone. Russian exports of mineral fertilisers amounted to approximately 1.5 million tonnes last year and have already exceeded 2.2 million tonnes this year. • Our country also annually allocates the necessary funds to the budget of the UN World Food Programme for projects supporting the agricultural sector in African countries, and regularly provides humanitarian aid free of charge to African states in need. • As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Russia makes a significant contribution to resolving existing conflicts and preventing new ones on the African continent. In doing so, we consistently adhere to the fundamental principle you yourselves have proclaimed: African solutions to African problems. Russia is doing a great deal to help African countries maintain domestic stability and security, and to strengthen their defence and law enforcement capabilities. • We have concluded intergovernmental agreements on military and military-technical cooperation with 45 African countries. Military personnel and law enforcement officers from African countries receive training at Russian educational institutions. 📄 Read in full