Putin Talks Up Africa Links Despite Mass No-Shows At Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been seeking to talk up relations with African nations despite mass no-shows by national leaders at the second Russia-Africa summit taking place in St Petersburg. Fewer than half the 43 leaders that turned up to the inaugural summit in 2019 are expected to be in attendance in a blow to Putin's efforts to portray his international isolation as a Western-fabricated myth. Putin is attempting to portray Russia as a great supporter of African ambitions, saying to the head of the African Union earlier today that the body should have full membership of the G20 by September.

• Other comments from Putin hitting wires: Putin: Russia is interested in deepening trade and humanitarian ties with Africa. "I'm sure we are able to radically boost trade with Africa."
• In the wake of the cancellation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative Putin states "We will pay special attention to supplying grain to Africa, including as humanitarian aid via UN...Sanctions seriously hamper Russian food supplies....Our country is able to replace Ukrainian grain for Africa...We will be ready in next 3/4 months to supply grain to Africa...Russia's share on global grain market is about 20%, it contributes greatly to global food security."
• Putin: "Russia is ready to supply 25-50k tonnes of grain each for free to some African countries in the coming months....Free grain will go to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea."