Putin: Russia has never treated African countries as a means of competition. Throughout history, African countries have always been Russia's friends. We have never followed a colonial policy. On the contrary, we helped African countries free themselves from colonial dependence.

Putin: Russia has never treated African countries as a means of competition. Throughout history, African countries have always been Russia's friends. We have never followed a colonial policy. On the contrary, we helped African countries free themselves from colonial dependence.