OREANDA-NEWS  Moscow currently has confirmation of participation in the Russia–Africa summit from 49 states. This demonstrates a firm attitude on the part of African countries to develop relations with the Russian Federation, despite Western pressure. This was announced on Tuesday, July 18, by Alexander Polyakov, Deputy Director of the Africa Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

According to TASS, at a press conference, he said that about half of the African countries will be represented at the summit at the highest level - at the level of heads of state and government. He noted that the summit program is almost ready, final preparations are underway.

"The final preparations for the summit are underway now: its program is being finalized, the schedule of meetings of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is being formed, bilateral and multilateral documents of our cooperation with Africans are being prepared for signing," Alexander Polyakov said.

Earlier, the Kremlin said that at the Russia–Africa summit, the countries will discuss the situation around Ukraine. They admitted that some of the ideas of African countries could be implemented.

The second Russia–Africa Summit and Economic Forum will be held from July 27 to 28 in St. Petersburg. The event was held for the first time in October 2019 in Sochi. Then the motto of the meeting was: "For peace, security and development."