Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso in the Kremlin on Thursday. Sassou Nguesso is the latest African leader to visit Moscow, as Russia intensifies its relations with African nations since 2022.

“You personally have done a lot for the development of Russian-Congolese relations. You took part in two Russia-Africa summits, and you are making the necessary efforts to develop our cooperation in almost all areas. I mean the political level, and recently, trade and economic relations have been noticeably developing. We are grateful to you for your joint work on the international stage. Overall, everything is working out for us,” Putin said.

Sassou Nguesso has been in Russia since Tuesday, marking his second trip to the country in less than a year. He previously traveled to Saint Petersburg last July to attend the Russia-Africa summit.

This visit is expected to culminate in the signing of agreements on energy, trade, and security cooperation. “We would like to discuss with you and other officials the best way to advance the cooperation between our countries in all fields, including economy, finance, defense, and security. We need security nowadays,” Sassou Nguesso stated.

During the visit, Putin awarded Sassou Nguesso with an Order of Honor for his significant contribution to developing Russian-Congolese ties.

Russia has been working to bolster its relationships with African countries as a strategy to counter western sanctions and isolation over the war in Ukraine. Most African nations have adopted a neutral stance on the conflict, advocating for a ceasefire and peace talks instead.