Putin: Regarding the fact that the countries of the African continent can remain and be the subject of rivalry between large countries. Well, that's the wrong question. Russia has never seen African countries as objects of rivalry. African countries have always, throughout history, been only friends of Russia. We were not involved in colonial politics. On the contrary, we helped African countries free themselves from colonial dependence.

Putin: Regarding the fact that the countries of the African continent can remain and be the subject of rivalry between large countries. Well, that's the wrong question. Russia has never seen African countries as objects of rivalry. African countries have always, throughout history, been only friends of Russia. We were not involved in colonial politics. On the contrary, we helped African countries free themselves from colonial dependence.