President VladimirPutin has made it a priority to revive that substantial ties that Russia had with Africa during its Soviet period.

Russia acknowledges it has some catching up to do in rebuilding ties with Africa.

Vladimir Putin’s taking a leaf from the Chinese book in saying relations will not be affected by human rights or other considerations.

He’s promising to back African solutions to African problems.

Russia will look to building diplomatic and political ties with Africa, boosting defense and security co-operation, increasing economic assistance, backing disease control efforts and providing  educational and vocational training and stepping with humanitarian relief assistance

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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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