“Since the beginning of the special military operation, the West has significantly stepped up pressure on African countries by threatening to apply sanctions and suspend financial and humanitarian aid,” the deputy foreign minister stressed.

Bogdanov noted that “the United States daily fabricates accusations blaming us for future famine, increased prices of fuel, grain, and fertilizers and, consequently, the exacerbation of the socioeconomic issues on the continent.”

He added that it is the tradition of Russian diplomacy, which has a centuries-old history, “to take into account all possible external factors, promote our agenda, and put the state interests of Russia and its friends at the forefront.”

“And we do not intend to deviate from this course,” he said. “Our country resolutely defends the principle of free choice of the path of development of sovereign countries, which is the key idea of the upcoming second Russia-Africa summit,” he added.

According to the deputy minister, preparations for the event are in full swing, as the agenda is being worked out alongside Africans.

“We are receiving confirmations of participation in the upcoming summit from the continent’s leaders. It is a sign for us of the principled support from a significant bloc of countries, despite the enormous pressure from the West,” Bogdanov concluded.

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