Moscow pitches multipolar vision to 48 African delegations at third summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on October 28, 2026, aiming to expand Moscow's influence across the continent. The two-day event brought together delegations from 48 African nations, including 22 heads of state, to discuss trade, security, and grain supplies. While Putin framed the gathering as a step toward a multipolar world and promised increased agricultural exports and infrastructure cooperation, analysts note that Russia's economic incentives remain limited compared to China and the European Union. The summit highlights Moscow's reliance on military partnerships, particularly with Sahel juntas, to counter Western influence despite ongoing scrutiny over its recruitment of African fighters for the war in Ukraine.