Ryabkov noted the lack of political conditions in Russia's assistance to Africa

Russia helps African countries to develop the agro-industrial sector without political conditions and blackmail, unlike Western countries. This was stated on October 28 by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov at the session "Agro—industrial Alliance of Russia and Africa: Overcoming Challenges together" within the framework of the Russia-Africa forum.

"While the West has turned food and fertilizers into an instrument of geopolitical and geo-economic blackmail, Russia does not impose any political conditions within the framework of specialized cooperation. I am convinced that this will continue," he said.

According to the diplomat, geopolitical upheavals are increasing instability in the food sector. In particular, the conflict in the Persian Gulf led to disruptions in logistics, a reduction in the supply of fertilizers on the world market and an increase in their cost. The rise in the cost of fuel and transportation has also accelerated inflation in African countries, he explained.

Ryabkov noted that against the background of these processes, grain crops, animal feed, meat and dairy products are becoming more expensive. In his opinion, in order to achieve Africa's food sovereignty, it is necessary to jointly solve emerging problems, and not limit ourselves to responding to geopolitical crises.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also stated the need to create an agro-industrial alliance between Russia and Africa. According to him, the initiative is still in its infancy, but in the future it may become an important part of the new global architecture.

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On October 26, Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that Russia had sent more than 18 million tons of grain to African countries in 2025. Supplies of Russian mineral fertilizers last year amounted to 1.5 million tons, and this year exceeded 2.2 million tons. Cooperation with African states in trade, agriculture, education and diplomacy is expanding, he said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on October 27 that the West continues to treat Africa as a source of its well-being, while Russia does not do this. In contrast to the historical experience of the West based on colonialism, slave trade, imperialism and the logic of segregation, the Russian Federation promotes the ideology of mutual respect, benefit and rejection of any form of discrimination, the diplomat stressed.