President Vladimir Putin expressed his desire for the African Union (AU) to become a full member of the G20 club of nations while speaking at the beginning of a summit for African leaders in St. Petersburg.

"We hope that this decision will be made as early as September, during the G20 summit in New Delhi," Mr Putin said.

"As before, Russia is ready to do everything possible to promote the strengthening of the sovereignty of African states, to help make Africa one of the key partners in the new system of a multipolar world order," he added.

Regarding Russia's decision to leave a UN-mediated agreement that would have allowed grain supplies from southern Ukrainian ports to finally reach Africa in safety, Mr. Putin declared that Russia can fill the gap.

In the upcoming months, six African nations would be able to get free food from Russia, he noted.

The summit has fewer African leaders participating than the last gathering, in part due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.