Putin hosts talks with African leaders on security
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Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral meetings in Moscow on Saturday with leaders from the Palestinian Authority, Zimbabwe, and Burkina Faso. The visits were part of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré were among the foreign dignitaries who traveled to Moscow for the commemorative event. Beyond the ceremonial purpose, the meetings also focused heavily on regional and global security issues.
During his sit-down with President Abbas, Putin proposed a discussion on how Russia might contribute further to easing tensions in the Middle East. “Let’s exchange views on what else Russia could do to help de-escalate the situation in the region,” Putin said, referring to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader instability in the region.
Putin’s talks with African leaders come at a time when Russia faces mounting diplomatic pressure over its ongoing war in Ukraine. Earlier the same day, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland issued a united call for Putin to accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, set to begin on Monday. The proposal, made during a high-level summit in Kyiv, was backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had been briefed on the plan in a phone call.
The timing of these bilateral meetings suggests Moscow’s continuing efforts to strengthen alliances outside the Western sphere, particularly among countries in Africa and the Middle East. Russia has increasingly positioned itself as a counterbalance to Western influence, offering economic and military partnerships to nations facing political instability or seeking alternative alliances.
While no formal agreements were announced during the meetings, the visits highlight Putin’s strategic use of diplomatic events to maintain international partnerships—even as tensions with the West continue to rise.
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