Putin is trying to flex his influence in Africa, but countries are giving him the cold shoulder

Wed, 07/26/2023 - 11:14

Russian President Vladimir Putin in Armenia in November 2022. — Despite recent moves to strengthen Russia's influence on the continent, his summit with African leaders is looking weak.
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Putin is hosting a critical summit with African leaders this week in St. Petersburg, Russia.
But only a handful of attending nations are sending their heads of state or leaders.
Isolated by the war in Ukraine, Putin seeks to grow influence and support on the African continent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's upcoming meeting with African leaders is designed to be a diplomatic showcase and a bit of a flex — but it's looking like a miss on both counts.

On Thursday, Putin will meet with 49 representatives from African nations at the second Russia-Africa summit. The event, hosted in St. Petersburg, is critical for an increasingly isolated Russia to maintain its ties and support on the African continent.