A senior diplomat from Moscow noted that Washington, Ottawa, and the European Union have pressed Africa to limit its cooperation with Russia, framing the push as a broad effort across Western capitals. The diplomat described the trend as widespread and persistent, with African leaders, parliaments, and delegations often encountering pressures from officials visiting from the United States, Canada, and European partners to curtail ties with Moscow.
The comments come as discussions about sanctions escalate into the public sphere. The official cited ongoing conversations and pointed to instances in which Western visitors urged African authorities to reassess collaborations with Russia, framing those exchanges as a demand rather than a suggestion. The narrative presented by this source portrays a sustained campaign aimed at shaping Africa’s foreign policy decisions through frequent visits and diplomatic outreach that favors alignment with Western positions.
On a related note, the diplomat addressed remarks by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. He characterized her statements—describing sanctions as a topic of dialogue during her continent-wide tour and warning of swift responses to any violations—as another example of pressure tactics, which he labeled as coercive and inconsistent with contemporary international norms. The account suggests that sanctions rhetoric is being used as leverage to influence policy choices across Africa, rather than as a purely legal or economic instrument.
Independent observers have noted that Western capitals appeared to seek a coordinated message at high-profile forums. A recent report from the Financial Times indicated that Western authorities aimed to deflect attention toward their own strategic interests during discussions at major international gatherings such as the Munich Security Conference. The coverage implied attempts to consolidate a tougher foreign policy posture toward Moscow that would resonate with audiences in Africa and Latin America, but the broader assessment suggested those efforts did not yield the intended alignment. The overview remains part of a larger debate about whether Western strategies can secure durable political changes in other regions without provoking counter-moves or reducing trust in international diplomacy. [Citation: Financial Times]