Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Kremlin on Saturday as part of events marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The meeting, held in the Grand Kremlin Palace, focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, with Putin describing Zimbabwe as “our reliable partner on the African continent.”
“Next year, we will mark 45 years of diplomatic relations between our countries. You are always a welcome guest in Russia, Mr. President,” Putin said during the talks, referring to their previous meeting at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2024.
Putin highlighted potential areas for economic growth between the nations, noting that while “current Russia-Zimbabwe trade remains modest, there is significant potential for growth across a range of sectors, including geological exploration, energy, and agriculture.”
The Russian leader pointed to educational cooperation as a particular success, with 460 Zimbabwean students currently studying at Russian universities and 125 government scholarships allocated for the upcoming academic year. He also mentioned that over 500 Zimbabweans are enrolled in online Russian language courses.
Putin emphasized Russia’s humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe, citing last year’s delivery of 25,000 tonnes of wheat and “tens of thousands of tonnes of fertilisers” to the southern African nation.
The Kremlin meeting was attended by high-ranking Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, and ministers responsible for industry, agriculture, healthcare, and economic development.
Mnangagwa, who participated in Moscow’s Victory Day parade on Friday, expressed gratitude for being invited to the commemorations, calling the Soviet victory “a powerful testament of the courage, the resilience and sacrifice of the Russian people.”
“Zimbabwe is honoured to be back in the Russian Federation again to participate in the commemoration of this 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War,” Mnangagwa said, adding that Zimbabwe “honours and salutes the immense sacrifices” made by Russia.
The Zimbabwean president also referenced historical ties, with Putin noting that during World War II, Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) hosted a training base for allied pilots and navigators.
Both leaders emphasized their aligned positions on international issues, with Putin stating that Russia and Zimbabwe “stand together in advocating for the establishment of a just multipolar world order based on the supremacy of international law.”
The meeting comes as Russia continues to strengthen its relationships with African nations, with Putin mentioning the upcoming second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum scheduled for later this year.
