Putin tells African leaders Moscow will not pursue ‘neo-colonialism’
President Vladimir Putin told African leaders at the third Russia-Africa Summit that Russia does not engage in 'neo-colonial exploitation' of the continent, unlike former colonial powers.
Speaking at the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Wednesday, Putin criticized 'active attempts by Western countries' to drive Africans back into debt and force them to accept financial resources on predatory terms. He claimed these practices slow long-term development, contrasting Russia's approach with what he described as Western neo-colonialism.
Our business does not engage in the predatory, neo-colonial exploitation of natural and human resources, but rather expands the processing of raw materials locally, thereby creating new jobs and generating tax revenue.
Agricultural Expansion
Putin announced Russia's preparedness to expand agricultural product shipments to Africa, noting that Russia had already supplied 13 million metric tonnes of agricultural products to the continent in the first nine months of this year. These remarks come amid ongoing disruptions to grain exports from Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, as well as global fertilizer supply interruptions due to the United States-Israel war on Iran.
Regional Security Context
The summit occurs as Russian-backed government forces across North Africa fight armed rebellions, with many regional countries having experienced military coups that have shaken regional stability. Putin is scheduled to hold one-on-one talks with individual African leaders on topics ranging from trade to security, grain supplies, and arms deals.
The summit is expected to conclude with a final declaration on deepening cooperation between Russia and African nations, as Putin framed Africa as 'one of the key players in the global economy and politics' despite facing resistance from countries not prepared to accept a multipolar world.
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