African leaders and diplomats are gathering in Russia this week. Close to 50 African countries will participate in the two-day Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg.

According to the Russian presidential aide, Yury Ushakov 17 African heads of state will be in attendance and that their Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin plans on meeting each of them. It includes President Cyril Ramaphosa who will be holding a second face to face meeting with Putin in less than a month.

According to Moscow the main focus of the summit is to further develop relations. Among this is ensuring equitable access to food, fertilizers, modern technologies, and energy resources.

The office of the South African president says that the Russia-Africa Summit which is held every three years will also seek to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

The Presidency also believes the summit will provide an opportunity for African Leaders Peace Mission to continue talks with Putin on finding a path to peace with Ukraine. The two countries are locked in a war.