Moscow: US putting 'unprecedented' pressure on African countries to disrupt Russia-Africa relations
Moscow says Washington is putting "unprecedented pressure" on African countries to disrupt the existing relations between Russia and Africa.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov made the remark on Saturday, reiterating Moscow's previous assertions that the "collective West" is staging a campaign to isolate Russia.
"The United States and its allies are conducting an unprecedented campaign for the political and economic isolation of Russia," Bogdanov was quoted by the Russian TASS news agency as saying.
According to the diplomat, the Western countries embarked on the isolation campaign after Russia began its ongoing "special military operation" in neighboring Ukraine last February.
"Since the beginning of the special military operation, the collective West has significantly increased pressure on African countries through threats of imposing sanctions, [and] termination of financial and humanitarian aid," Bogdanov said.
As part of the campaign, he said, the West has been trying to disrupt the second Russia-Africa summit, which is slated to be held in St. Petersburg in July, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The West's anti-Russia bid comes as Moscow has been trying to forge closer ties with African countries.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov went on a tour of Africa last year, and has visited the continent twice since then.
Visiting Mali earlier this month, Lavrov condemned Western countries for their failure to get rid of their "neocolonial instincts" yet, urging them to be rather "aware of the reality of the modern world and the need to be more modest."
US, Israel after partitioning Muslim states to advance Tel Aviv’s regional domination: Iran
Senior US delegation in Syria for talks with HTS ‘terrorists’
US lawmakers call for end to military supply for Israel
Leader: Iran has no proxy forces in West Asia
US fighter aircraft shot down ‘in friendly fire’ amid aggression on Yemen
Yemeni FM: Israel’s sponsors accountable for ongoing aggression on Sana’a
Eight Palestinians killed as Israel attacks Gaza school, hospitals
VIDEO | Rome, Milan host new protests in solidarity with Palestinians
Dec. 21: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Spain jurists demand ties with Israel ties be cut
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
