Uganda President calls Russia 'Europe's centre of gravity,' express support to Kremlin

In a significant development concerning ongoing Ukraine war, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni voiced strong support for invers, Russia. Museveni stated that in context of ongoing war, Russia should be viewed as centre of gravity in Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, President Museveni's son, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, speaking on same, has strongly asserted that most Africans support Russia and that latter's leer Putin is 'absolutely right,' reported Associated Press.

Ever since onset of Ukraine war, key African countries came out and expressed ir stands regarding crisis, joining many global powers, some of which strongly condemned Russia's unprovoked aggression upon its neighbour. It is pertinent to mention here that 25 out of 54 African nations abstained from voting in UNGA resolution earlier in March. aforementioned African nations are known for maintaining strong historical relations with Kremlin, back from days of cold war.

African countries' long-standing relations with Russia

It is pertinent to note that back in 2019, Russia hosted dignitaries of 43 African nations and many sub-Saharan nations are procuring weaponry from Kremlin, as per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. However, se developments haven't gone unnoticed, as earlier last month, European Union leers held a long summit in Brussels in a bid to examine ways to counter surging influence of Russia and China in Africa.

One of notable economies among African nations, South Africa recently came out in support of Russia. Holding NATO responsible for ongoing crisis in Ukraine, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday stated that he would resist calls to condemn Russia for inving its neighbour. Speaking in parliament, Ramaphosa said that Ukraine war could have been avoided provided NATO hn't forayed eastward.

" war could have been avoided if NATO h heeded warnings from amongst its own leers and officials over years that its eastward expansion would le to greater, not less, instability in region," Ramaphosa said, a view also maintained by Russian President Vlimir Putin," He said.

According to Associated Press report, Putin's strategy in Mideast and Africa has been simple, and successful.  Russian leer reportedly seeks security alliances with autocrats, coup leers, and ors who have been spurned or neglected by U.S. and Europe, eir because of ir bloody abuses or because of competing Western strategic interests.