https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240321/zimbabwe-wants-to-develop-relations-with-russia-despite-us-pressure-russian-ambassador-says-1065659929.html
Zimbabwe Wants to Develop Relations With Russia Despite US Pressure, Russian Ambassador Says
Zimbabwe Wants to Develop Relations With Russia Despite US Pressure, Russian Ambassador Says
Sputnik Africa
A day earlier, Moscow donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat and 23,000 tonnes of mineral fertilizer to Zimbabwe, the Russian embassy in the southern African country... 21.03.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-03-21T09:33+0100
2024-03-21T09:33+0100
2024-03-21T09:47+0100
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The United States is putting pressure on Zimbabwe to persuade the authorities of the southern African country to abandon cooperation with Russia, but Harare, on the contrary, is determined to increase interaction with Moscow, Russian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Nikolay Krasilnikov said in an interview with Sputnik.As an example, he cited the visit of "a fairly representative delegation of African-American businessmen," which took place despite the scandal over the expulsion of USAID representatives from the country. According to the ambassador, the delegates were well received, and plans were outlined to organize $500 million in investments, with the US planning to build a biotechnology institute in Zimbabwe.Krasilnikov noted that Russia, along with China, is perceived in Zimbabwe as a strategic partner and that Zimbabweans greatly value relations with Russia and its people. Referring to the USAID scandal, Krasilnikov did not rule out the possibility that Zimbabwe's leaders might in the future expel Western, including American, diplomats for interfering in the country's internal affairs.Zimbabwe is proud and happy about the arrest and expulsion of the illegal US agents who reportedly came to hold secret meetings, Farai Muroiwa Marapira, director of information and publicity for Zimbabwe's ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party, told Sputnik earlier.Zimbabwe Interested in Cooperation With RussiaSpeaking about the vectors of cooperation between Harare and Moscow, Ambassador Krasilnikov noted that Zimbabwe is interested in Russian technologies, business, and cooperation in the areas of socio-economic development.Krasilnikov noted that on April 23-27 in the city of Bulawayo, on the sidelines of ZITF, the largest industrial and trade exhibition in Zimbabwe, a business forum will be held with the participation of Russian companies from various sectors. The envoy advised Russian companies, and small and medium-sized businesses to pay attention to the event, which he described as "the largest Zimbabwean exhibition and one of the largest in Southern Africa."The diplomat also revealed that Russia's United Grain Company, Demetra Trading, and Zimbabwe's Ministry of Agriculture are discussing the possibility of commercial grain shipments to the African country.He said that food aid is very important for Zimbabwe because of the drought and lack of agricultural produce.In addition, Krasilnikov suggested that a future meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Russia and Zimbabwe will discuss the delivery and assembly of Russian equipment in Zimbabwe. The diplomat also expressed confidence that "one of the main" topics at the meeting should be the issue of bilateral cooperation in the metallurgical industry.Bilateral VisitsThe ambassador in Harare told Sputnik that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has always expressed interest in visiting Russia, and he is welcome in the country.The diplomat recalled that the current Zimbabwean president has already visited Russia - in 2019 and once in 2023.The ambassador added that Russia is working on organizing a visit of a delegation from Zimbabwe to Russia in the field of health care and information and communication technologies.He noted that the countries have an intensive exchange of delegations. In particular, the diplomat said that prominent Zimbabwean politicians came to the Russian presidential election as observers and gave a "high assessment of the organization of the vote."Krasilnikov also revealed that the Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe is interested in opening a Russian Center for Science and Culture in the African country, which is in demand in Harare.He noted that the University of Zimbabwe, in cooperation with St. Petersburg State University, is working on the issue of opening a Russian language center in Harare.
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Zimbabwe Wants to Develop Relations With Russia Despite US Pressure, Russian Ambassador Says
09:33 21.03.2024 (Updated: 09:47 21.03.2024) A day earlier, Moscow donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat and 23,000 tonnes of mineral fertilizer to Zimbabwe, the Russian embassy in the southern African country said.
The United States is putting pressure on Zimbabwe to persuade the authorities of the southern African country to abandon cooperation with Russia, but Harare, on the contrary, is determined to increase interaction with Moscow, Russian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Nikolay Krasilnikov said in an interview with Sputnik.
As an example, he cited the visit of "a fairly representative delegation of African-American businessmen," which took place despite the scandal over the expulsion of USAID representatives from the country. According to the ambassador, the delegates were well received, and plans were outlined to organize $500 million in investments, with the US planning to build a biotechnology institute in Zimbabwe.
"If we do not occupy the niches in the Zimbabwean economy that we can still occupy, the Americans will occupy them," the diplomat added.
Krasilnikov noted that Russia, along with China, is perceived in Zimbabwe as a strategic partner and that Zimbabweans greatly value relations with Russia and its people.
"Contrary to attempts to put pressure on Zimbabwe, attempts that are taking place on the part of Western countries, including the Americans ... Zimbabweans not only do not give up their intentions to cooperate, but are ready to increase interaction, they are interested in our investments, in our technologies. They are open to partnership," the envoy said.
Referring to the USAID scandal, Krasilnikov did not rule out the possibility that Zimbabwe's leaders might in the future
expel Western, including American, diplomats for interfering in the country's internal affairs.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in early March that Zimbabwean authorities in February expelled members of a USAID team overseeing democracy, human rights, and governance assessments.
Zimbabwe is proud and happy about the arrest and expulsion of the illegal US agents who reportedly came to hold secret meetings, Farai Muroiwa Marapira, director of information and publicity for Zimbabwe's ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party, told Sputnik earlier.
Zimbabwe Interested in Cooperation With Russia
Speaking about the vectors of cooperation between Harare and Moscow, Ambassador Krasilnikov noted that Zimbabwe is interested in Russian technologies, business, and cooperation in the areas of socio-economic development.
"Zimbabweans are interested in our investments, in our technologies in various areas of socio-economic development. They are very interested in our business," he said.
Krasilnikov noted that on April 23-27 in the city of Bulawayo, on the sidelines of ZITF, the largest industrial and trade exhibition in Zimbabwe, a business forum will be held with the participation of Russian companies from various sectors. The envoy advised Russian companies, and small and medium-sized businesses to pay attention to the event, which he described as "the largest Zimbabwean exhibition and one of the largest in Southern Africa."
The diplomat also revealed that Russia's United Grain Company, Demetra Trading, and Zimbabwe's Ministry of Agriculture are discussing the possibility of commercial
grain shipments to the African country.
He said that food aid is very important for Zimbabwe because of the drought and lack of agricultural produce.
In addition, Krasilnikov suggested that a future meeting of the intergovernmental commission between Russia and Zimbabwe will
discuss the delivery and assembly of Russian equipment in Zimbabwe. The diplomat also expressed confidence that "one of the main" topics at the meeting should be the issue of bilateral cooperation in the metallurgical industry.
The ambassador in Harare told Sputnik that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has always expressed interest in visiting Russia, and he is welcome in the country.
The diplomat recalled that the current Zimbabwean president has already visited Russia - in 2019 and once in 2023.
"You know, he has always expressed interest in visiting Russia. Of course, President Mnangagwa is always a welcome guest in our country," Krasilnikov remarked.
The ambassador added that Russia is working on organizing a visit of a delegation from Zimbabwe to Russia in the field of health care and information and communication technologies.
He noted that the countries have an intensive exchange of delegations. In particular, the diplomat said that prominent Zimbabwean politicians came to the Russian presidential election as observers and gave a "
high assessment of the organization of the vote."
Krasilnikov also revealed that the Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe is interested in opening a Russian Center for Science and Culture in the African country, which is in demand in Harare.
"We are interested in opening such a center despite the fact that in the neighboring country, Zambia, a center of Russian science and culture has long been operating in Zambia through Rossotrudnichestvo [Russia's Humanitarian Agency]... Its work is clearly missing for Zimbabwe. And, of course, there is a need to open such an institution here. A center for the study of the Russian language could be considered as a basis for starting such an institution," the envoy said.
He noted that the University of Zimbabwe, in cooperation with St. Petersburg State University, is working on the issue of opening a Russian language center in Harare.
