Impact of the crisis in Ukraine on Russia-Africa relations

Abstract

: In recent years, the world has witnessed significant geopolitical shifts, with the crisis in Ukraine becoming a key event influencing global relations. Africa, as an important element of the “Global South,” has become a central arena for great power competition and geopolitical maneuvers. After the end of the Cold War, Russia-Africa relations experienced a low point when Russia withdrew from Africa, followed by a period of slow recovery and rapid development. Since the onset of the Ukraine crisis in 2022, these relations have entered a period of “strategic horizontality,” characterized by high-level interactions, food cooperation, military and security cooperation, and energy cooperation reaching new heights. The new phase of Russia-Africa relations is the result of increasing alignment of the needs and interests of both Russia and Africa. Russia-Africa military and security cooperation is challenging the Western presence in Africa, but Russia still faces disadvantages in economic cooperation, institutionalization, and countering “hybrid warfare” with the West. The further development of Russia-Africa relations is on the rise, with both sides continuing to strengthen cooperation in various fields. This article examines the evolutionary dynamics of Russia-Africa relations, especially in the context of the ongoing Ukraine crisis, and analyzes the strategic, economic, and political implications for both regions.