Putin noted that Lavrov was preparing the Russia-Africa summit and was on a business trip to several countries friendly to Russia.

“We will ask him to start today with information about his business trip,” the president said.

The Foreign Minister previously visited Mali, Mauritania, Sudan, South Africa, Eswatini, Angola and Eritrea.

Earlier, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya, in an interview with RT correspondent Caleb Maupin, spoke of "jealousy" in the West because of Russia's relations with African countries.