Mission in Alyoshki and unacceptability of colonial practices: Putin’s statements

MOSCOW, October 29. /TASS/. The Russian business community rejects colonial methods and conducts business with African partners on respectful terms, investing in their countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at the Russia-Africa summit.

It is hardly possible to speak of socio-economic development without guaranteeing security, he noted.

Putin added that a humanitarian operation is currently underway in Alyoshki in the Kherson Region to provide assistance to the civilian population.

TASS has compiled the key statements by the head of state.

Security

It is impossible to discuss socio-economic development without guaranteeing security: "Naturally, without resolving these problems, it is impossible to speak of any kind of economic or social development. It is self-evident. Of course, the UN Security Council must devote the necessary attention to this."

Ukrainian settlement and operation in Alyoshki

A humanitarian operation is currently underway in Alyoshki in the Kherson Region to provide assistance to the civilian population: "Regarding the zone of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict: an operation is scheduled right now, over these next few days, today or tomorrow, with the support of the First Lady of the United States [Melania Trump] by the way, to provide aid specifically to the civilian population."

Ukrainian forces have mined the approaches to Alyoshki in the Kherson Region, bringing the settlement closer to a humanitarian catastrophe: "The situation had been developing for a long time."

Russia is exploring options for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine: "We are working on this as well, just as we are addressing issues related to a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis itself."

Alignment of positions between Russia and Africa on pressing issues

Russia and Africa are natural allies in building a multipolar world system free from dictates: "Russia and Africa are united by truly strong bonds of friendship and close partnership. We are natural allies in building a multipolar and truly democratic world order. A world order free of diktat and double standards, based on respect for the norms of international law and fundamental principles of the UN Charter and, what's more, in their entirety and interrelation."

The positions of Russia and African states on the most pressing issues of global politics are similar or coincide: "We advocate for an equitable dialogue and for taking into account the interests of all states."

Russia-Africa summits bring significant added value, as they give a powerful impetus to the development of mutually beneficial ties: "Such summits offer us a valuable opportunity to exchange views on the current state of Russian-African relations and give a powerful boost to our multifaceted and mutually beneficial ties."

Development of Africa

Moscow remains interested in seeing African countries develop, protect their sovereignty, and achieve sustainable economic growth: "Russia has been and remains interested in seeing African nations protect their sovereignty, achieve steady growth, and strengthen their economies and social sectors. To address these goals, we are ready to continue working together with you across all these areas."

Africa will be able not only to feed itself but also to become a major food exporter in the future: "We are convinced that through the application of modern agricultural technologies and the proper organization of agricultural production, as you have noted, dear friends, Africa will be able in the future not only to feed itself but also to become a major exporter of various types of food products."

Economic cooperation

Russia’s trade turnover with Africa has grown 1.5-fold since the previous summit, reaching $27 bln: "The momentum is good, but the true potential of our collaboration is significantly greater, of course," Putin added.

The Russian business community rejects colonial methods and conducts business with African partners on respectful terms, investing in their countries: "Our business community always approaches cooperation with African partners with honesty, respect, and good faith, conducting business on equal terms. Rather than siphoning off profits in the spirit of the colonial practices of former imperial powers, they invest what they earn in the development of your countries’ economies, eagerly share advanced technologies and expertise, and extensively engage local subcontractors, creating new production facilities and jobs."

Many Russian companies have long been successfully carrying out large-scale investment projects in Africa: "This refers to sectors including energy and the peaceful use of nuclear power, mining and mineral extraction, industrial cooperation, logistics, and tourism."

Russian businesses in Africa demonstrate social responsibility by caring for the well-being of local employees and the local environment: "What is important, Russian businesses operate in Africa in a socially responsible manner: they look after the well-being of their employees and their families, fund and participate in the implementation of significant humanitarian programs, pay close attention to ecological and environmental issues, and show respect for internal political processes."

Moscow has established an uninterrupted channel for mutual settlements with African countries, with the ruble accounting for 85% of those transactions: "All of this helps to shield our economic exchanges from external influence and makes them more resilient to fluctuations in the global economic and political landscape."

Russian companies are interested in relocating some of their production facilities to African countries, especially in the current sanctions environment: "I won’t say anything unexpected, but this is entirely in Russia’s interests, especially in today’s environment, with numerous sanctions being applied to the Russian economy and Russian enterprises. Our companies are interested in relocating certain production facilities to African countries."

African nations already enjoy certain advantages in trade with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), including full exemptions from customs duties: "The EAEU’s unified system of tariff preferences offers African exporters significant benefits when importing goods into the Eurasian market. Forty-seven countries on the continent are eligible for these benefits, with 32 of them enjoying completely zeroed-out customs duties."

Initiatives to introduce advanced Russian services are underway in Africa with the participation of Russian businesses: "Promising initiatives to introduce advanced Russian digital services are being actively implemented on the continent with the participation of Russian businesses."

Ensuring stability and security

Russia is doing much to help African countries maintain internal stability and security, and to strengthen their defense capabilities: "As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, our country makes a significant contribution to resolving ongoing conflicts and preventing new ones on the African continent. That said, we consistently proceed from the fundamental principle that you yourselves have proclaimed: ‘African solutions to African problems.’ Russia is doing a great deal to assist African states in maintaining internal stability and security, and in strengthening their defense and security capabilities."

Diplomatic presence

Russia’s diplomatic presence on the African continent is being expanded systematically: "I must mention the systematic steps being taken by the Russian side to expand our diplomatic presence on the continent. Since the previous summit in 2023, eight new Russian embassies have begun operations in African states, bringing the total number to 48. At the same time, a network of trade missions is being developed; there are currently only six of them, but their activities cover 16 African countries."

Botswana, Seychelles and Togo are planning to open their embassies in Moscow soon, and Russia supports their intention: "We render all necessary assistance to African diplomatic missions operating in Russia. Their number is also growing. We also know about the intention of Botswana, the Seychelles Islands and Togo to open their embassies in Moscow soon and, naturally, we support them."

Middle East

One must not lose sight of the problems facing Palestine, which continues to suffer amid developments in the Persian Gulf: "Of course, amid the events in the Persian Gulf, we must not forget the problems of Palestine, which continues to suffer."

Russia believes a definitive resolution to the Palestinian question can only be achieved through the implementation of the principle of establishing two states: "Russia supports and believes that a final resolution to the Palestinian question can only be reached through the implementation of the well-established two-state principle, which includes the creation of a fully-fledged state on Palestinian territory, a Palestinian state."

Freedom of navigation

It is important to ensure freedom of navigation in all regions of the world, as well as compliance with international maritime law: "I would like to say that the most important thing here is to ensure adherence to the fundamental norms of international maritime law and to guarantee freedom of navigation. This should apply to all regions of the world."