Russia Not Inciting Anyone in Africa, Not Setting Anyone Against France, Putin States

Putin said that French President Emmanuel Macron's sharp reaction to Moscow may be related to actions in Africa.

"Yes, I think there is some kind of resentment. But when we maintained direct contact with him, we spoke quite openly on this topic. We did not go into Africa and did not squeeze France out of there," Putin said.

The president noted that in many countries where France has historically been a metropolis, they do not really want to deal with Paris, although there are other African countries where they are calm about the French presence.

"But we have nothing to do with it, we are not inciting anyone there, we are not setting anyone up against France. We do not have such tasks. To be honest, we do not have such state, national tasks there at the level of the Russian state. We are just friends with them - that's all. They want to develop relations with us. Well, for God’s sake, we are willing to do that. There's nothing to be offended about," he added.

Putin went on to say that Russia did not thrust itself into Africa and did not squeeze France out of there; African leaders themselves wanted to work with the Russian Federation.

"We did not push anyone out. It is just that the African leaders of some countries agreed with Russian economic operators and wanted to work with them but did not want to work with the French in some way. It was not our initiative, it was the initiative of our African friends. But it is unclear why they should be offended at us in this regard," he said.

Putin noted that an independent state wants to develop relations with its partners from other countries, including Russia.

"We did not touch them, the former French colonialists in these countries. Well, yes, I even say this without irony because in many countries where France has historically been a metropolis, they do not really want to deal with them," he said. "We have nothing to do with it. So, it is probably more convenient to be offended by someone without seeing your own problems." The President suggested that "such an acute reaction, quite emotional on the part of the French president, is also related to what is happening in some African states."

Furthermore, Russia's leader recalled the Wagner Group, that also operated in Africa, and said the Russian Defense Ministry had supported them as a group from Russia and nothing else.

"But the problem is different. This is the notorious Wagner Group. It first carried out a number of economic projects in Syria, then moved to other countries in Africa. The Defense Ministry supported them, but only on the basis that it is a Russian group, nothing more," Putin said.

The last, but nevertheless important topic in Putin’s interview was the attitude of Western elites towards the countries of the Global South. Thus, these elites, who are accustomed to "filling their bellies with human flesh," strive to freeze the unfair state of international affairs, but they must understand that the "vampire ball" is ending, according to the president.

Putin further recalled that the "so-called golden billion" for centuries practically "parasitized other nations," exploiting countries and peoples in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

"The Western elites have a very strong desire to freeze the existing situation, the unfair state of affairs in international affairs. They have been accustomed for centuries to fill their bellies with human flesh and their pockets with money. But they must understand that the vampire’s ball is ending," the head of state emphasized.