Amid tensions with the West and sanctions over its war in Ukraine, Russia is trying to expand its influence in Africa and is leveraging its old, soft power ties in the absence of any significant economic hard power. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/17/world/politics/russia-money-god-africa/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #worldnews #politics #africa #southafrica #ukraine #russia #russiaukrainewar