Putin pozdravlja "naravne zaveznike" na vrhu Rusija-Afrika v Moskvi

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on Thursday that Moscow is prepared for a potential war with Europe, while simultaneously stating that Russia does not desire such a conflict. Speaking at a press conference following the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, Putin warned that if tensions escalate to the point of direct hostilities, there would be no winners. He addressed comments circulating among European leaders regarding preparations for a possible confrontation with Russia by 2030, asserting that while many discuss these timelines, Russia’s position is one of readiness without intent to initiate aggression. Putin remarked that Western nations have not achieved their objective of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia. He characterized the likelihood of such a defeat occurring by 2030 as low. The Russian leader emphasized that Russia remembers the devastating consequences of the two World Wars and expressed a desire to prevent a recurrence of such global conflicts. These statements align with previous remarks made by Putin in December 2025, when he stated that Russia had no intention of attacking Europe but would respond immediately if Europe initiated a war. The comments followed telephone conversations held earlier in the week between Putin and Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. According to Putin, the initiative for these dialogues originated from the European leaders, who clarified they were not speaking on behalf of the entire European Union. Putin described these talks as a positive step and indicated that Moscow supports initiatives aimed at restoring relations with European states. He noted that some European figures prefer constructive dialogue over seeking a strategic defeat of Russia. During the same address, Putin discussed the situation in the Baltic Sea. He stated that Russia does not want the region to resemble the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz in terms of tension levels. However, he warned that Russia would respond to any challenge. He acknowledged that Stubb and Støre faced criticism after their phone call with him but defended their actions, suggesting they acted correctly in engaging with Moscow. The summit in Moscow brought together representatives from 48 African countries, with more than 20 heads of state present. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described African nations as "natural allies" in building a multipolar world order. Putin argued that the era in which the fate of continents was determined by a narrow bloc of Western states is irreversibly over. He highlighted economic cooperation, noting that trade between Russia and Africa exceeded 27 billion dollars last year. Putin stated that Russia exported 13 million tons of agricultural products to Africa in the first nine months of the current year and shipped 2.2 million tons of mineral fertilizers this year, compared to 1.5 million tons the previous year. The summit took place against the backdrop of severe Western sanctions imposed on Russia due to its ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Despite these sanctions, Moscow continues to provide security assistance to several African governments. In the Sahel region, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have distanced themselves from France and aligned more closely with Russia. Russian weapons, fighters, and trainers are considered essential by these governments in their conflicts with Islamist and separatist groups. Similar dynamics exist in the Central African Republic. European concerns persist regarding the potential expansion of the conflict. A leaked American intelligence report from the summer suggested the possibility of a limited Russian attack on the eastern flank of NATO within weeks to test the alliance's resolve. Scenarios included small land incursions into Baltic states or cyberattacks across Eastern Europe. These remain hypothetical scenarios rather than confirmed plans. Additionally, hybrid activities attributed to Russia, including drone incidents and cyber threats, have raised alarms in Europe. British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting recently argued that Britain must strengthen its defense capabilities by 2030. He stated that preparation for war is necessary to deter adversaries and ensure that Britain is ready to fight and win if deterrence fails. This perspective leaves approximately 1,000 days for the UK and its NATO allies to prepare for a potential confrontation, assuming the 2030 timeframe cited in intelligence assessments holds true. At the summit, Putin also announced plans to localize the production of Russian medicines and vaccines in Africa. He noted that the number of African students studying in Russia has increased by 50 percent since 2020. The summit concluded with the signing of 33 documents focused on economic cooperation and artificial intelligence. Russia intends to open a 49th embassy in Liberia to strengthen its diplomatic presence on the continent. However, Russia's relationship with African nations has been complicated by reports of Africans being forcibly conscripted to fight in Ukraine. Countries including Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa have expressed alarm over the fate of their citizens. Amnesty International sent an open letter to the attendees expressing deep concern regarding Russia's forced and deceptive recruitment practices. Despite these issues, the summit served as a platform for Moscow to project influence and assert its role as a key partner for the continent, countering what it describes as Western neocolonialism.