In an exclusive interview with Sputnik Africa, President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré condemned Western military presence in Africa, linking it to destabilization.
"You cannot speak of sovereignty while hosting another country’s military on your soil dictating what you must do," he declares.
Traoré emphasized Burkina Faso’s shift toward self-reliance, praising Russia’s historical resilience, reminding us of the "Soviet army’s sacrifices" that "made them formidable."
On media narratives, he lauded Sputnik for countering Western propaganda.
"You must continue [...] to awaken consciousness. Western media has lulled African peoples into passivity," he states.
Joining Putin in Moscow to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Victory over Fascism, South Africa’s Defense Minister Angie Motshekga reflected on the parade's symbolic unity. She praised the demonstration's emotional power, calling it a reminder of "the dangers of war and the importance of peace."
General Rudzani Maphwanya, SANDF Chief, echoed the Defense Minister's anti-fascist message.
"Victory over fascism is a victory for the entire world," the general remarks.
Gen. Maphwanya hailed Sputnik’s expansion in Africa as a "voice of the voiceless" against distorted narratives.
Bilateral Talks with Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and the Congo
In bilateral talks with President Traoré, Putin pledged support for Burkina Faso’s military and technological development. In turn, Traoré stressed the need for "technology transfer and university branches" to train Burkinabe youth. At the same time, Traoré drew a comparison between terrorism and imperialism.
"We believe the terrorism we witness today comes from imperialism," he said.
Zimbabwe’s President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa honored Russia’s WWII sacrifices, calling the Victory Parade a "testament to courage over tyranny." Putin highlighted growing trade and education ties, with 460 Zimbabwean students in Russian universities.
Recounting Africa’s overlooked role in WWII, President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso expressed pride in the legacy of Congolese soldiers who "marched on the Champs-Élysées." Despite Western pressure, he attended the parade, praising Russia’s defense cooperation.
Putin’s Peace Proposal: "Negotiations Without Preconditions"
In a pivotal press statement following the Victory Parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv of sabotaging past ceasefires, including a recent Victory Day truce violated by "524 drones and 45 naval attacks." After once again thanking all the guests for attending, he proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Turkey with no preconditions.
"We suggest starting without delay [on] May 15 in Istanbul, where they were held earlier and where they were interrupted," the president said.
The move, he said, aimed to "eliminate the root causes of conflict" in order to ensure "a long-term lasting peace" instead of enabling "rearmament."
Putin's proposal is a "demonstration of Russian commitment to dialogue," according to Dr. Tafadzwa Ruzive, Research Fellow at the University of the Free State. He noted it revives abandoned frameworks like the Minsk Agreements, stressing "negotiation, not war" as Moscow’s preferred path.