The 2024 edition of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) takes place from June 5 to 8. The theme of this year's event is “The foundation of a multipolar world - forming new points of growth”.

'For Zimbabwe to Succeed, We Need Russia': Sanctions Fighter Calls for Increased Cooperation

15:04, 8 June 2024

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Muhammad Nooh Osman

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On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin held talks with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa, on the sidelines of the 2024 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). On Friday, Mnangagwa took part in the plenary session of SPIEF, where he stated that together with Russia, Zimbabwe is charting a path to a shared prosperous future.

Sputnik

Zharare Martin, Executive Director of Citizens Against Economic Sanctions, Zimbabwe, called for increased trade and investment between the two countries, highlighting Russia's potential to help Zimbabwe overcome the challenges imposed by Western sanctions.

"If it wasn't for the Russians, Zimbabwe would not be where it is today," he told Sputnik Africa on the occasion of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's visit to Russia for the SPIEF 2024. "If it wasn't for the Russians, Zimbabwe would still be under the clutches of the British and the Americans. But the friendship that the people of Russia gave us was not only during our independence, but it progressed until today."

Martin added, "And as we have mentioned, our president is right there with comrade [President] Putin. And that is a testament to the friendship that we have with the people of Russia. And actually, we can say the Russians are our brothers, the Russians are our sisters, and the Russians are Zimbabweans because they loved this country so much."

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Martin further emphasized the importance of Russia's economic strength and its ability to assist Zimbabwe in its development, particularly in the face of Western sanctions.

"Russia is an economy that is so huge, that has got so many and so much to offer to Zimbabwe," he said.

He called for an increase in bilateral trade between Russia and Zimbabwe, emphasizing the potential for Russia to support Zimbabwe's agricultural and mining sectors, which have been heavily impacted by sanctions.

"Zimbabwe is a virgin country in the mining industry, virgin, untouched, and untapped, and we need investors like the Russians who will come in as partners, not as people who just want to grab things. And we know the sentiments of the Russians, and the heart of the Russian people is to help, not just grab, as the other Western imperialists always want to do," he noted.