Russia is also back in Africa. That is the message Vladimir Putin wants to convey at the first ever Russia-Africa summit, which began today in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Russia’s president and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, are chairing the event. About 50 African leaders and thousands of business people are expected to attend, reflecting the recent strengthening of ties between Russia and many African countries. Between 2006 and 2018 Russia’s trade with Africa increased by 335%, more than both China’s and India’s (though it began from a lower base). Russia is now Africa’s leading supplier of arms, and has signed at least 20 military co-operation agreements, which it uses to extract mining rights for gold, diamonds and other minerals. More lucrative deals will be signed in Sochi this week. But the summit’s main purpose is to signal Russia’s revival as a great power.