Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered what he called "total support" for Africa, including in the struggle against terrorism and extremism. The speech was read out at a summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to his African counterparts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday promised Moscow's "total support" for Africa, at a conference with African officials in Russia's Black Sea resort city of Sochi. "Our country will continue to provide total support to our African friends in different sectors,

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on a landmark defense pact with North Korea amid reports Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to fight Ukraine.