In recent years, more than half of the issues on the Security Council's agenda have been African issues, he recalled, citing as an example of Russia's power its vote against lifting the arms embargo on Somalia, which it had voted in favor of several times, after Mogadishu had supported resolutions against the war in Ukraine.

"That's their concern," said the head of EU foreign policy for Africa, admitting that the expectation is that African countries will turn out in large numbers for the second Russia-Africa summit and economic forum scheduled for July 26-29 in St. Petersburg.

Moscow has confirmed the presence of 49 African countries, many represented by heads of state and/or government, and Rita Laranjinha believes that "it is possible that this is the number".

"We don't know exactly at what level African states will be represented. We have been following this very closely and we know that some countries have already indicated that they will be represented at head of state or government level. Others are still hesitating," he said.

Yelena Kharitonova, a researcher at the Institute of African Studies, recently said in a report entitled "Russia and Africa: An Audit of Relations" at the Valdai Discussion Club that the West is trying to undermine Russian-African relations, creating "a challenging environment for the second Russia-Africa summit.

The head of European foreign policy for Africa said that the EU "recognizes that any country has the right to engage with a third state and manage its diplomatic relations.

But he believes it is important to emphasize that the EU is Africa's biggest partner, both in terms of trade and investment and, admitting that "it has a hard time communicating the advantages of its relationship", he guarantees that there is an increasing effort at coordination between EU and member state officials.

The EU is also developing actions to improve this perception and overcome the "well-crafted narratives" of other actors, such as Russia.

Ahead of the Russia-Africa summit, he will be promoting an information campaign on social networks and in the press, and will be sending information to African countries through their representations, showing "what promises were made at the previous summit and what has actually been done," he said.

The data that will be released "will help to dismantle the perception that exists about the importance of the (Russia-Africa) relationship, which is not what many people think," said the European official.