Preventive measures: Putin urged the West not to bet on war

The Ukrainian issue turned out to be one of the central topics at the Russia—Africa summit. Vladimir Putin informed the delegations from almost 50 African countries that the mining of the approaches by the Ukrainian side to Alyoshka had actually led to a humanitarian catastrophe. At the same time, he said that the Russian Federation does not want an armed conflict with Europe — there can be no winner in this war. Moscow is interested in building a multipolar world where Africa will have a stronger position. This continent, in particular, should be represented on a permanent basis in the UN Security Council. African leaders insist that a continent with a population of over 1.5 billion people cannot remain outside the circle of permanent decisions that determine the global agenda.

How was the second day of the Russia—Africa summit?

The central events of the second day of the Russia—Africa summit on October 29 moved to the Kremlin. While experts and businesses were discussing contracts and looking for common ground in Gostiny Dvor, the leaders of the delegations of 48 African countries, including 22 heads of state, were deciding how to strengthen ties and respond to new geopolitical challenges together.

Two plenary sessions lasted for almost eight hours, where each of the guests tried to be heard. At the same time, the atmosphere remained not only businesslike, but also humanly warm - Vladimir Putin congratulated the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi—Ndaitwa, and the head of the Chadian delegation, Foreign Minister Ahmed Kogri, on his birthday. The meeting was held under the motto "For peace, security and development," and from the very first words the Russian leader outlined the philosophy of partnership.

"We are natural allies in building a multipolar, truly democratic world order — a world order free from dictates and double standards, based on respect for the norms of international law and the basic principles of the UN Charter, and in their entirety and interrelationship," Putin stressed.

It is on this foundation that Russia has always stood by the African peoples, supporting their struggle against colonialism, helping them achieve freedom, sovereignty, and the right to choose their own development models. At the same time, it was not about charity, but about an equal, pragmatic union.

Russia's trade with Africa has increased one and a half times since the previous summit in 2023 and reached $27 billion. At the same time, the potential for cooperation is significantly higher than what has been achieved, as the EAEU's interaction with the African continental free trade area opens up additional opportunities. Tariff preferences are already in effect for many African States.

African leaders were concerned about an issue beyond the scope of continental cooperation. Many heads of delegations spoke in favor of finding a solution to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. And this is not a new line for African diplomacy. Back in 2023, the heads of several African countries visited both sides of the conflict on a peace mission and presented proposals for achieving peace in Ukraine. Now the focus is on the humanitarian operation in Alyoshki, Kherson region, which is being held on October 29-30. According to Vladimir Putin, the situation in the settlement has become more complicated due to the mining of approaches to it by the Ukrainian side, which has actually brought the area to a humanitarian catastrophe. The operation to provide assistance to the civilian population is supported by the First Lady of the United States Melania Trump.

"We are dealing with this, just as we are dealing with issues of a possible peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis itself," Vladimir Putin said.

Already at the final press conference, the president commented on telephone conversations with his Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Harrer, which took place on the initiative of the European side on October 27. Putin stressed that Russia supports any steps towards restoring full—fledged relations with European countries, whether in a bilateral format or with the entire EU as a whole. According to him, there is a lot of talk in Europe about the need to prepare for war by 2030. And although Moscow is ready for this, the Russian Federation does not want to fight with European states. The President added that the West has failed to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, and it is unlikely that it will be able to do so by 2030.

"And if it goes too far, there won't be any winners at all," he warned.

During the conversation, the Finnish leader noted that Helsinki, like many other capitals in the region, expects compliance with international maritime law. Russia fully supports this approach. Moscow does not want the scenario of the Strait of Hormuz to repeat itself in the Baltic, but it is ready to respond to any challenge.

What are the African states trying to achieve at the summit with Russia

The African leaders did not just thank for the hospitality, but clearly indicated what they expected from the partnership and what they were ready to offer in return. Despite the difference in national priorities, there was a single motive in the speeches: Africa does not want to be a donor of resources, but to become a full-fledged actor in the global economy and politics.

Denis Sassou‑Nguesso from the Congo, Felix Chisekedi from the DRC, Theodore Obiang from Equatorial Guinea and others talked about one thing: we need not common words about friendship, but clear mechanisms, deadlines, financing and measurable results for citizens. Hence the emphasis on the 2027-2029 action plan, which was signed at the end of the summit: they want to make it a working tool, not a formal document. It sets out agreed approaches to the development of Russian-African cooperation and deepening cooperation in the international arena.

"Contrary to what the evil forces think, Africa did not come to ask for help, Africa came to strengthen partnerships with its friend, the Russian Federation," said Evariste Ndayishimiye, Chairman of the African Union and President of Burundi.

If Africa fought for political sovereignty in the 1960s, today its main task is economic, energy and financial independence, says Olga Milyukova, a lecturer at the Faculty of Global Processes at Moscow State University. The cornerstone of the summit's agenda is the continent's right to manage its resources and create added value within the region, rather than remain a supplier of raw materials. Russia, through the summit platform, confirms its course towards a multipolar order and the failure of attempts to isolate it.

Another vector is security as a foundation for development. Chisekedi spoke about the suffering in the east of the DRC and asked Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to enforce the resolutions. Sassu‑Nguesso, as head of the Libya committee, emphasized that crises in one part of the continent are rocking the entire region. Egypt, represented by its leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, categorically rejected the militarization of the Red Sea and interference in internal affairs.

Against this background, the issue of global governance reform was raised again. Several leaders spoke at once about the injustice of the absence of Africa among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, because the continent wants to really influence decisions that determine the global agenda. Vladimir Putin recognized this situation as unfair and at the final press conference told reporters that Africa must necessarily be represented in the UN Security Council. However, what the form of this representation will be is a matter to be determined.

The current structure of the UN Security Council reflects the geopolitical landscape of 1945, while Africa, with a population of more than 1.5 billion people, is completely devoid of permanent representation, which makes the legitimacy of the Council insufficient, Olga Milyukova is sure. African states count on Russia's assistance in promoting this position and representing the region's interests on major international platforms.

— The population of Africa is huge. We have 54 countries, and it is unacceptable that we still do not have permanent representation in the UN Security Council. Africa's joint position is that we call for a permanent seat on the Security Council. The principle of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and peaceful conflict resolution should be applied consistently to each State," said Kenyan President William Ruto.

At the same time, each country had its own accents. The DRC relied on the economy and security: they need access to energy, resource processing, food security and infrastructure. Egypt has proposed five specific areas to Moscow, from logistics and trade to water resources and IT. Ethiopia has invited Russian universities to cooperate in the field of AI. Ghana promoted practical cooperation mechanisms and projects in pharmaceuticals, agriculture and nuclear energy.

Russia, represented by Vladimir Putin, responded to these requests with a willingness to engage in substantive work: it confirmed its support for green economy initiatives, emphasized its leadership positions in the energy and nuclear industries, and agreed on the need to strengthen Africa's representation in international institutions. At the same time, the emphasis was on finding mutually acceptable and secure investments so that the partnership would work for both sides.

"Russian business conducts business on equal terms, does not siphon profits in the spirit of colonial practices, but invests in the development of economies, creates jobs and transfers technology," the Russian leader stressed.

As a result, the summit showed that African countries do not ask for charity. They want equal cooperation, where their sovereignty and priorities are respected, and partnership is measured not by loud statements, but by new jobs, power plants, universities, and stability in the regions. And it is precisely this pragmatic but respectful approach that is becoming the common denominator of the dialogue between Russia and Africa.