According to the spokesperson, this is flagrant interference by the United States, France and other states in their attempts to pressure the leadership of these countries to prevent them from participating in the forum scheduled for July 27-28 in the city of Saint Petersburg.

Noting that this “absolutely outrageous event” will not prevent the meeting from being successful, Peskov added that Russia is pleased to welcome the heads of state and governments and all other representatives who have traveled to the summit.

“We expect a very busy and fruitful summit in the coming days,” the spokesman said. The previous Russia-Africa meeting and the homonymous economic and humanitarian forum, held in October 2019 in the Russian city of Sochi, brought together representatives of all 54 African countries, 45 of them were heads of state and government.

The current edition of the Summit and the forum will be attended by the leaders of 17 nations of the continent.

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