On the instructions of the Head of State, Faure Gnassingbé, Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Robert Dussey, traveled to Saint Petersburg to represent his country at the Russia-Africa Summit.
In Saint Petersburg, the Russia-Africa Summit, which started on Thursday, July 27th, brought together several African heads of state and eminent diplomats. Among them was Professor Robert Dussey, Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who attended as the representative of his country at this high-level meeting.
This gathering of African and Russian leaders aims primarily to restore Russia’s reputation, which has been damaged since the invasion of Ukraine a year and a half ago. For Vladimir Putin, this summit also offers an opportunity to demonstrate that his country is not isolated, despite criticisms from some of its detractors.
In his opening speech, the Russian President highlighted his country’s capacity to support Africa in terms of food security. He pledged to provide between 25,000 and 50,000 tons of cereals free of charge to the most needy African countries such as Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea. This initiative aims to strengthen ties between Russia and Africa while addressing the urgent needs of food security on the continent.
For Togo, Robert Dussey’s participation in this Russia-Africa Summit represents a privileged opportunity to consolidate diplomatic relations with Russia and explore new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. The presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs reflects the importance Togo places on international exchanges and the promotion of peace and development in the African region.
