Russia hosts African leaders this week for a summit aimed at boosting ties despite concerns in Africa over the conflict in Ukraine and the suspension of a deal on Ukrainian grain exports.

Isolated on the international scene since launching the military campaign in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin still has support in several African countries.

“Today the partnership is constructive, confident and turned towards the future,” Putin wrote on the Kremlin website.

At the summit set for Thursday and Friday in Saint Petersburg, Putin’s native city, several African leaders are expected including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Kremlin accused Western countries of trying to deter participants.

“Almost all African states have been subjected to unprecedented pressure,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday.

“The United States, French embassies were active… and other Western missions are trying to do their share to prevent this summit from taking place,” he said.

The summit is the second of its kind after an inaugural one that was held in 2019 in Sochi in southern Russia.

The end of a deal that has allowed Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea to global markets, including Africa, is set to dominate the agenda.

Russia pulled out of the deal earlier this month, saying a promise to allow Russian exports had not been honoured.

Over a year, the deal allowed around 33 million tonnes of grain to leave Ukrainian ports, helping to stabilise global food prices and avert shortages.

In the last few days, Moscow has sought to reassure African partners, saying it understands their “concern” on the issue.

The Kremlin has said that “without any doubt” it is ready to export grain for free to African countries that need it.

Putin has said Moscow could return to the agreement but only if the part of the deal allowing Russian grain and fertiliser is fully implemented.

– Against Western ‘imperialism’ –

Since the start of the Ukraine offensive, Russia has sought to strengthen diplomatic and security ties with Africa.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been on two tours of the continent so far this year, trying to win over leaders to Moscow’s side by emphasising Russia’s support against Western “imperialism”.

Experts say the push for more Russian influence in Africa is seen mainly in a series of security contracts and through assistance on social media campaigns.

Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has been a major player in the security sphere in Africa but its failed mutiny against Russia’s military leadership last month has cast doubt on the future of the group’s operations on the continent.

French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Moscow of seeking Africa’s “destabilisation” — a charge quickly rejected by Russia which has in turn pointed to France’s colonial past.

“Russia is developing friendly, constructive relations based on mutual respect,” Peskov has said earlier.

African leaders have for their part sought a higher profile role in the diplomacy around the conflict in Ukraine.

A delegation of African leaders visited Moscow and Kyiv last month to urge both sides to cease hostilities but the initiative had little effect.

The summit in Saint Petersburg comes a month ahead of a summit of leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) which is due to take place in Johannesburg.

South Africa has said that Putin, who is the subject of an international arrest warrant for his actions in Ukraine, will not be attending in person.

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© Agence France-Presse