🎙 Highlights from the press conference by President Vladimir Putin and Chairperson of the African Union, President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye following the Third Russia–Africa Summit (Moscow, 29 October 2026) • Russia and Africa are natural partners in the efforts to create a new, fairer and multipolar world. We maintain close foreign policy coordination and engage actively through bilateral and multilateral channels. • Russia is sincerely committed to building a truly strategic and multifaceted partnership with Africa. We are encouraged to see that our African friends are equally committed to working together, hand in hand. • Russia has never considered African nations as territories to be competed over. Throughout history, African countries have been friends of our country. We have not pursued any colonial policies. It is the opposite: we helped them to liberate themselves from the colonial yoke. • There are people in Europe who do not want to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia, as some do, but want to establish some kind of constructive dialogue. And we support any steps aimed at restoring full-fledged relations with European countries. • We do not want any war with Europe. And if someone wants one, let them prepare. But they have not achieved their goal of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia now, and it is unlikely to be possible by 2030. And if it goes too far, there will be no winners at all. Read in full