"Putin prioritizes Africa relations with grain deal conditions and debt write-offs"

Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the "priority" given to cooperation with African countries, as Moscow seeks new partners to face international sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine. Putin promised to increase cooperation with African countries in the field of energy, medicine, and education, and to double the quotas of African students in Russian universities. The next Russia-Africa summit is due to be held in St. Petersburg in July, and Putin invited African leaders and regional organizations to take part.