He is speaking on the eve of summit Russia hope will give it a leg up in dealing with Africa.

Vladimir Putin knows the toughest competition Russia faces in boosting ties with Africa comes from China, the United States, India and Turkey.

He will tell the 47 African leaders gathered in Sochi this week that Russian friednship is based on their demand for African solutions to African problems.

There are sound economic reasons for improving relations with the fastest growing consumer market on the planet.

But, as China has shown, the immediate benefit is political with winning votes at the the United Nations and support in other international forae. 

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