African leaders arrive in St. Petersburg for Russia-Africa Summit

African leaders have arrived in Saint Petersburg ahead of the second Russia-Africa Summit which kicks off this Thursday.

49 African delegations and 17 heads of state will take part in the two-day summit and economic forum.

African leaders will look to Russian President Vladimir Putin for concrete promises on grain supplies with some also likely to seek clarity and assurances on the future of Wagner mercenaries in the continent.

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The gathering in St Petersburg will take place 10 days after Putin quit the Black Sea agreement that had enabled Ukraine – like Russia, a major grain exporter – to ship food out of its southern ports despite the 17-month-old conflict.

With the war in Ukraine ongoing, Russian President Vladimir Putin is under pressure to show his country’s commitment to the African continent which is increasingly assertive on the world stage.

Moscow is also seeking more allies from the region.

The summit may also see renewed attempts by African leaders to broker peace in Ukraine.