Vladimir Putin has been left abandoned by African leaders as several refused to attend a major summit in St Petersburg.
The poor turnout appeared to pile pressure on the Russian President as Moscow looks increasingly isolated following the invasion of Ukraine.
The Kremlin accused the West of trying to sabotage its second Russia-Africa summit.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We are well aware that practically all African states were subjected to unprecedented pressure from the United States.”
Russia's President Vladimir Putin waves during a family photo with heads of countries taking part in the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi
Reuters
Oleg Ozerov, a Russian foreign ministry special envoy, said that Moscow would understand if some African leaders were too busy to attend.
“Those who could [come], have done so,” he told state media.
The conference, which begins today, will see fewer than half of the 43 heads of state who attended in 2019 return.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser confirmed just 17 African leaders will travel to Russia.
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South African president Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at Pulkovo International Airport to attend the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg
Reuters
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Democratic Republic of Congo leader Felix Tshisekedi are among the absentees.
Despite having an influence in Africa, many of the nations have been left feeling frustrated following Russia’s onslaught against Ukraine.
Moscow’s decision to quit a deal allowing Kyiv to ship grain out of its Black Sea ports was criticised by Kenya.
Russia has built up its influence in Africa through military deals in return for mineral assets.
Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin ranting surrounded by his fightersReuters The Wagner Group, who last month launched a short-lived coup, is also a big player in the continent.
Mercenaries from the group have been taking part in combat or violent action in several nations, including Zimbabwe and Libya.
The Russian military is also training local security forces in Egypt.
However, China has an even greater influence over the region and has bought up infrastructure for access to rare minerals.
Vladimir PutinReutersMilitary leaders from Mali and the Central African Republic will join the Russian President at the summit.
Despite controversy surrounding Johannesburg’s BRICS conference next month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will also be in attendance.
The 2019 Russia-Africa summit saw Putin pledge to double Moscow’s trade with the continent within five years to $40billion.
Trade between the two stalled at around $18billion a year but Russia now offers less than one per cent of total direct foreign investment and almost no humanitarian aid.
