As Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to meet with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa, on the sidelines of the 2024 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the two nations are set to reaffirm their longstanding friendship and explore new avenues for cooperation.
Rooted in a common struggle against colonialism, the Russia-Zimbabwe relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership marked by close political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange.
The USSR's unwavering support for Zimbabwe's independence movement in the 1960s and 1970s laid the foundation for a deep and enduring relationship. This support extended to the training of Zimbabwean commanders in Russia, many of whom went on to play key roles in the struggle against the colonial regime.
Today, Moscow and Harare share a common vision on key global issues and align their positions on the world stage. Regular summit meetings, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa's visits to Russia in January and October 2019 and July 2023, demonstrate the strength of this high-level engagement.
The economic partnership between the two countries has been steadily growing. The volume of trade turnover between Russia and Zimbabwe reached $167.8 million in 2023, compared to $24.5 million in 2022, with promising areas of cooperation identified in subsoil exploration, agriculture, energy, and education.
Russian diamond, gold, and platinum mining companies are active in Zimbabwe, while the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2021 between Rosatom State Corporation and the Ministry of Energy of Zimbabwe signifies a commitment to collaboration in nuclear power.
Educational exchange programs have also strengthened ties between the two nations, with hundreds of Zimbabwean students pursuing higher education in Russia each year. The signing of a mutual recognition agreement on education in 2022 demonstrates a shared commitment to fostering academic cooperation.
Russia provides humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe, both within the framework of specialized UN agencies and on a bilateral basis. For example, in 2023, Russia donated 11 thousand tons of potash fertilizer to Zimbabwe, which contributes to the country's food security. And in 2024, 25,000 tons of Russian wheat and 23,000 tons of mineral fertilizers were delivered to Zimbabwe on a free-of-charge basis.
The upcoming talks between Putin and Mnangagwa promise to further deepen this partnership, with a focus on exploring new areas of cooperation in the economic and political spheres, according to the Kremlin.
On June 5-8, the Russian city of Saint Petersburg is hosting the 2024 International Economic Forum. The event has been held annually since 1997. The main theme of this year's forum is "The Foundations of a Multipolar World: The Formation of New Areas of Growth."