Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the second Russia-Africa summit will help define new tasks for expanding Russia's cooperation with African partners in various directions, Interfax reported.

"The first-ever Russia-Africa summit held in 2019 created good conditions for the activation of our traditionally friendly ties both at the bilateral level and on a multilateral basis. I am confident that the second summit in this format, which will be held in July in St. Petersburg, will make it possible to define new tasks for expanding cooperation between Russia and African partners in a variety of directions, including in addressing topical issues on the regional and international agenda," the Russian president said in a telegram to participants of the 36th Assembly of Heads of States and Governments of African Union member countries.

"I will be glad to see you in St Petersburg. I look forward to continuing constructive joint work for the benefit of our countries and peoples, in the interests of ensuring the peaceful and prosperous development of the African continent," Putin wrote.