Editor's Note: Leaders from across Africa have gathered in Sochi, Russia, for the initial Russia-Africa Summit, in which Moscow seeks to expand its security and economic ties with a range of countries on the continent. Russia sees Africa as a key part of its effort to diversify its global diplomatic and security relations as Western pressure, particularly from the United States, grows. Russia has already been able to ink agreements with numerous countries during the summit, including Ethiopia, Egypt and Namibia, covering everything from nuclear technology to military cooperation, adding to the more than 20 deals that Moscow has in Africa. This assessment originally published Sept. 25 takes stock of Russia's attempts to expand its footprint across the continent. Russia’s strategy to exert influence in Africa has been underway for two years, though it's so far largely consisted of more covert, bilateral activities.