Putin tells African leaders Moscow will not pursue ‘neo-colonialism’
Speaking at the third Russia-Africa Summit, Putin frames Moscow as an alternative to former colonial powers.
President Vladimir Putin has told African leaders visiting Moscow that Russia does not engage in “neo-colonial exploitation” of the continent, unlike former colonial powers.
Speaking at the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Wednesday, Putin said the West is still trying to exploit the continent’s resources and uses debt to hold back development.
“Africa is increasingly asserting itself as one of the key players in the global economy and politics. However, the emergence of a multipolar world is, of course, no easy task; it faces resistance from countries that are not prepared to accept this reality,” Putin told the summit.
“Our business does not engage in the predatory, neo-colonial exploitation of natural and human resources, but rather expands the processing of raw materials locally, thereby creating new jobs and generating tax revenue,” said Putin.