Opening remarks of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a working breakfast with the foreign ministers of African countries (Moscow, October 28, 2026) Sergey Lavrov: I am very happy to see you all and welcome you to Moscow for this meeting of foreign ministers on the edge of the Third Russia. Summit of Africa. We know that some of our African friends have been actively discouraged [by the West] from going to Russia through political pressure, blackmail and threats to reduce aid programs. There were even fake reports. I read that there was supposedly an "epidemic outbreak" in our country and it is forbidden to travel here. We are really happy that despite these unscrupulous manipulations of the West, the vast majority of our friends have reached the summit and are taking a very active part in its work. Today, Africa is experiencing what we call a second awakening. In the 1960s, when the decolonization process began, when our country played a very active role, the main goal was political independence. Today, having achieved political independence, Africans want to secure economic, energy and financial sovereignty. Russia will always be an ally of African countries in this way. We are ready to continue to share Russian expertise and help strengthen your independence and sovereignty. This is an objective historical trend towards the emergence of multipolarity. Expanding our diplomatic presence on the continent reflects the importance of Africa to Russian foreign policy. Since the previous summit in 2023, eight more Russian embassies have been opened, bringing the total number in the region to 48. We are happy to see reciprocal steps by our African friends, who are also interested in opening diplomatic missions in Moscow. We do everything we can to make it easier.

Opening remarks of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a working breakfast with the foreign ministers of African countries (Moscow, October 28, 2026) Sergey Lavrov: I am very happy to see you all and welcome you to Moscow for this meeting of foreign ministers on the edge of the Third Russia. Summit of Africa. We know that some of our African friends have been actively discouraged [by the West] from going to Russia through political pressure, blackmail and threats to reduce aid programs. There were even fake reports. I read that there was supposedly an "epidemic outbreak" in our country and it is forbidden to travel here. We are really happy that despite these unscrupulous manipulations of the West, the vast majority of our friends have reached the summit and are taking a very active part in its work. Today, Africa is experiencing what we call a second awakening. In the 1960s, when the decolonization process began, when our country played a very active role, the main goal was political independence. Today, having achieved political independence, Africans want to secure economic, energy and financial sovereignty. Russia will always be an ally of African countries in this way. We are ready to continue to share Russian expertise and help strengthen your independence and sovereignty. This is an objective historical trend towards the emergence of multipolarity. Expanding our diplomatic presence on the continent reflects the importance of Africa to Russian foreign policy. Since the previous summit in 2023, eight more Russian embassies have been opened, bringing the total number in the region to 48. We are happy to see reciprocal steps by our African friends, who are also interested in opening diplomatic missions in Moscow. We do everything we can to make it easier.