Putin promises ‘total support’ for African countries

SOCHI, Nov 10: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday promised Moscow's "total support" for Africa, at a conference with African officials in Sochi in southwest Russia.

"Our country will continue to provide total support to our African friends in different sectors," Putin said in a speech read out by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to other foreign ministers and senior officials.

Putin said Russia could help countries with "sustainable development, the struggle against terrorism and extremism, combating epidemics, food problems and the consequences of natural disasters".
The conference taking place on Saturday and Sunday comes after two Russia-Africa summits in 2019 and 2023.

Lavrov said Russia's relations with Africa have been strengthening "more and more".    —AFP