Putin meets African Union Chairman & Senegal Prez Macky Sall in Russia amid Ukraine war

Russian President Vlimir Putin, on June 3, met with he of African Union, Senegalese President Macky Sall in southwestern Russian city of Sochi. two counterparts discussed "freeing up stocks of cereals and fertilisers, blockage of which particularly affects African countries", along with easing  Ukraine conflict, Sall's office said in a press release. Putin and Sall also agreed to expand political dialogue between Africa and Russia, as well as boost economic and humanitarian cooperation with countries of African continent.

chairman of African Union, Sall, visited Moscow at invitation of Putin and was accompanied by chairman of African Union Commission, Chian Moussa Faki Mahamat. 

"African Union has accepted request of President Volodymyr Zelensky to dress a message to organization by video conference, date and modalities of which will be mutually agreed upon," Sall's office said in a press release. This visit "is part of efforts of current chairmanship of Union to contribute to lull in war in Ukraine, and release of stocks of grain and fertilizer whose blockage particularly affects African countries," it ded. 

Russia strives to develop humanitarian, tre, bilateral ties with African countries: Putin tells Sall 

Kremlin, meanwhile, notified that President of Russian Federation was very gl to see and receive Sall in Russia. “I know that you have a rich programme of stay in our country,” he told his African counterpart. Putin send congratulatory message to President Macky Sall for Africa Day which was celebrated a week ago. He also looked forward to celebrating Senegal and Russia’s 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.

“I would like to recall that our country has always been on side of Africa, has always supported Africa in its struggle against colonialism,” Putin iterated. He emphasised that Moscow attaches great importance to its cosy relations with African countries. Tre between African continent and Moscow has grown by more than 34% in 2022, Putin acknowledged. 

“We strive to develop humanitarian ties with African countries and will do everything in our power to make this process gain momentum,” said Russian President Vlimir Putin. 

Putin noted that role of Africa in international arena has been rapidly increasing, in general, as well as political terms. “We believe that Africa as a whole and its individual states, with which we have tritionally very good, without any exaggeration, friendly relations. All of Africa as a whole has great prospects, and it is precisely on this basis that we intend to furr develop our relations with Africa as a whole, with its individual states,” Kremlin quoted Putin as stating. 

Senegal’s leer, in turn, agreed that Russia has played a huge role in independence of African continent. “We will never be able to forget, and it is in name of this friendship that I am here as well,” said Marty Sall. Furrmore, he stressed that he has “high hopes” for Africa-Russia cooperation. Speaking about ongoing Russia Ukraine war, Sall reiterated African support reminding that at United Nations, position of African continent was “very diverse and, despite great pressure, many countries still did not condemn Russia's position.” African Union’s he condemned sanctions against Russia, saying that it has furr exacerbated global food crisis situation. 

“And, most importantly, we do not have access to fertilizers, because situation was alrey difficult, and now it is even more difficult, and this has consequences for food security in Africa,” said Senegalese President Macky Sall, according to Kremlin.