Editor's note: The article is based on an interview with  Li Xing, professor and director of the Eurasian Studies Center at Beijing Normal University. The article reflects the expert's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Is Russia going "back" to Africa? The first Russia-Africa Summit at the Russian city Sochi on October 23 is largely regarded as a turning point in Russia's Africa strategy which seeks closer cooperation with African countries after 20 years of retreat.

The two-day summit will be co-chaired by Russian President Putin and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, which is expected to attract over 10 African leaders and 3,000 representatives from African business communities. Is this the pivot moment in Russia's Africa's strategy? According to Li Xing, professor and director of the Eurasian Studies Center at Beijing Normal University, the summit is a test for Russia to expand its influence in Africa.

Li points out that as the Soviet Union supported Africa's national independence movement during the post World War II era, the traditional influence is still there even after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. After 20 years of retreat, with Russia striving to be a major power on the global stage, the "return" to Africa is not a surprising move.

In the meantime, from a more realistic perspective, it can be said that Russia's Middle East strategy has made some achievements which have strengthened its confidence: as U.S. troops withdraw from Syria, Russia's influence over the region is expanding. Its relationship with Turkey,  Saudi Arabia, and Iran are also improving generally. With the proximity of the Middle East region and Africa, Putin's move can be seen as an extension of Russia's victory in his Middle East strategy.

Compared with the western world, Russia could be counted as a "latecomer" in the power politics of Africa. As many other countries like the U.S., China and Japan initiate summits with Africa, it also wanted to be the part of the picture to showcase its position to be a major power. In this sense, it seems that engagement with African countries has become one of their balanced diplomacy strategies to seek political and economic cooperation opportunities while maintaining the balance of power.  

Faced with western blockage, Russia's march towards Africa is also a showcase of its capability to engage with the continent against Western wishes. It is a breakthrough in a political and symbolic sense. Although Russia is bound to seek more economic cooperation, but at this stage, political concerns are the dominant power of Russia's turn to Africa.

"Russia and African countries are all rich in energy and natural resources, so they will have some room for exchange in this area. But Russia's economic motivation should not be overstated," explained Li. Currently, arms sales dominate the trade between Russia and African countries. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 28 percent of Russia's arms exports goes to sub-Saharan Africa from 2014 to 2018. 

Then comes the inevitable question: Will Russia's change in its Africa strategy face competition from China, who is also an important partner of African countries?

Not necessarily according to Li Xing. Russia and China are all "latecomers" regarding their engagement with Africa. They share the same idea that they are offering assistance and investment without political strings attached. In this sense, Russia's competitor should be the West who has long asked structural change before help.

In addition, they also have different comparative advantages in their cooperation with African countries: while China is a strong role player in offering assistance, investment, and infrastructure, Russia could offer high-quality arms with cheaper prices. According to SIPRI, Russia is already the largest supplier of arms to Africa.

Li points out that while cooperation with Africa is getting closer, given Russia's halted economic growth, this might not be an all-round "return" to Africa for Russia, "Russia' next move is still up for observation, but the current pivot might just be a deepening of Russia's current cooperation structure with Africa," added Li.

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