‘West Blackmailing African States To Exploit Their Resources’ – Putin Ahead Of Russia-Africa Summit

Riyaz Patel

Russian President Vladimir Putin says this week’s Russia-Africa Summit represents “a starting point for building fair partnerships based on equality and mutual practical interest, blasting the West of “intimidating African countries to exploit their resources.”

Putin said Moscow’s offer to help the continent is without political conditions, unlike what he cast as the “exploitative” approach of the West.

“We see how an array of Western countries are resorting to pressure, intimidation and blackmail of sovereign African governments,” Putin told Russia’s TASS news agency.

Russia and African states have traditionally enjoyed friendly and time-tested relations, the Russian president noted.

“Our country has played a significant role in the liberation of the continent, supporting the struggle of its peoples against colonialism, racism and apartheid.”