The Russia-Africa summit kicks off today in St. Petersburg. Delegations from 49 African countries and 17 heads of State are expected, welcomed by President Vladimir Putin. Among the priorities on the agenda are African concerns about grain supplies from Europe after Moscow's exit from the international agreement on the export of Ukrainian grains, but also Russian fears of remaining isolated, which are pushing Moscow to relaunch air links with the dark continent.

"There are 733 foreign-made aircraft, including Boeing and Airbus, as well as 160 Russian-made Superjet 100s in operation in Russia". A "sufficient" number of aircraft to maintain current connections and develop others with African States. However we need "guarantees" that the aircraft "will be refuelled and subjected to routine maintenance", without risking "being detained or impounded on the ground", explained Alexander Neradko, president of "Rosaviatsia", the Russian federal agency for air transport.

In short, Moscow is ready to develop air services with African countries. Also because the Kremlin leader, isolated on the international scene after the military offensive launched in Ukraine in February 2022, can always count on the support, or on the neutrality, of many African countries with which he intends to "further develop cooperation", assured Putin in a welcome letter sent to the participants.