Russia's President Vladimir Putin has courted dozens of African leaders at a Russia-Africa summit, part of his efforts to bolster Moscow’s clout across the continent.

Russia's hopes of using a summit with African leaders to increase its influence on the continent have been hit by African anger about the fate of their men recruited by the Russian army.

Moscow is pushing for a summit with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, without Kyiv or the EU. What does Russia hope to gain, and why might China be willing to take part?