THE Russian-African summit ended in St Petersburg on Friday with a final declaration committing both sides to deepening co-operation in trade and international relations.

In a press conference late on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the outcome of the second Russia-Africa summit, which had risked being derailed by anger at Russia’s blockage of Ukrainian grain exports. 

The final declaration called for “increasing co-operation at the highest level and promoting constructive dialogue within the framework of existing international, regional, multilateral and bilateral Russian-African mechanisms on a wide range of strategic, political and economic issues of mutual interest.”

It highlights the development of medicine production to improve the fight against infectious diseases, as well as joint efforts to eliminate the threats of terrorism. Russia has replaced France as a partner in battling jihadist groups in a number of north-west African countries.

The two sides agreed to strengthen and deepen the partnership between the Brics group and Africa, as well as to establish partnerships between the African Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation.

Russia and Africa agreed to increase trade exchanges and conduct business in their national currencies.

The summit saw agreement by Russia to start shipping 25,000 to 50,000 tons of grain for free to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and the Central African Republic.

Referring to his country’s invasion of Ukraine Mr Putin promised that Russia would analyse the peace proposals put forward by African leaders, the details of which have not been publicly shared.

But the Russian leader rejected calls for a ceasefire as a precondition for talks. 

“Why do you ask us to pause fire? We can’t pause fire while we’re being attacked,” he said.