Online Reporter
Zimbabwe and Russia have enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations dating back to the liberation struggle. As Harare bids for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term, our reporter WALLACE RUZVIDZO sat down with Russia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe MR NIKOLAI KRASILNIKOV to discuss Zimbabwe’s candidature and other key issues. Russia currently holds the rotating presidency of the UNSC, overseeing its agenda and deliberations this month.
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Q: Can you outline the current state of Zimbabwe and Russia’s bilateral relations?
A: Russia and Zimbabwe have enjoyed very cordial and friendly relations over the years.
We were friends even before Zimbabwe gained independence, and after independence, we continued to develop our brotherhood.
But it is under the Second Republic that Russia and Zimbabwe have enjoyed very dynamic relations, with political efforts on a very high note, deep and sincere mutual understanding, mutual respect and strong solidarity.
We have close coordination in political affairs, both domestically and internationally.
Cooperation in other spheres — trade, investment, science and technology, and culture — is still to bring more tangible results.
Such partnerships have yet to match the level of our political relations, which are really excellent under the Second Republic.
Let me tell you why we have this gap between political and other areas of cooperation.
As I mentioned, our friendship is rooted in brotherly ties of solidarity, based on the support my country provided to Zimbabwe’s liberation fighters. Just recently, in August this year, the Zimbabwean people once again demonstrated their appreciation by honouring Russia’s prominent scholar, Professor Vladimir Shubin, former head of the African section of the Soviet Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee.
He attended the ceremony in Harare and received the award from His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Prof Shubin became the first person from outside Africa to receive this great symbol of the liberation struggle — usually awarded to representatives from former Frontline States.
So, it’s very remarkable.
But the truth is, during President Mugabe’s era, there were ups and downs in our relations — the cooperation was not always as smooth as it is now. You know, the Soviet Union and Zimbabwe didn’t establish diplomatic relations immediately in 1980, but almost a year later, as former President Mugabe was initially reluctant due to certain reasons.
However, shortly after independence, the Zimbabwean Olympic team was invited to participate in the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.
Zimbabwe gained independence in April and the Games began in July.
The Soviet Olympic Committee sent an invitation, and the only team Zimbabwe managed to assemble was the women’s field hockey team — their first-ever Olympic team. They faced many challenges — they didn’t even have proper shoes for the artificial turf since they were used to playing on grass.
Their sponsor, Mr Margolis, helped provide them with the necessary equipment. And you know what? They won gold medals — becoming the first-ever women’s team to win Olympic gold in field hockey.
They returned home as the “Golden Girls” even though there were no diplomatic relations between Moscow and Harare at that time.
Later, during one of my visits to Great Zimbabwe, a guide named Ernest told me an interesting story about one of Zimbabwe’s stone birds being kept in a Russian museum in St Petersburg.
According to the legend, German explorers stole some Great Zimbabwe artifacts in the early 20th century, including a stone bird.
After World War II, when the Soviet army defeated Nazi Germany, some artefacts were taken from German museums as reparations — and one of them was that stone bird.
It was kept in storage at the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg — never displayed publicly.
The legend says that later, the Soviet government decided to return it as a gift to the new Government of Zimbabwe. The bird was presented to President Mugabe, and soon after, diplomatic relations were established.
Whether the story is entirely true or not, it is a beautiful symbol of camaraderie.
It reflects that while things were not always smooth, our relations have matured.
Now, under the Second Republic, the ties between our presidents are very close and sincere — that is where it all began.
Q: And, under the Second Republic, President Mnangagwa has visited Russia frequently. Is this reflective of the camaraderie between himself and President Vladimir Putin?
A: Indeed, since then, President Mnangagwa has visited Russia almost every year.
Before that, Minister (Sergey) Lavrov came to Zimbabwe in March 2018. I accompanied him as Deputy Director for Africa at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Those discussions laid the foundation for President Mnangagwa’s State visit to Moscow in January 2019. That visit marked the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.
Q: What was the reason behind Russia’s backing of Zimbabwe’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council?
A: Naturally, Russia has thrown its full weight behind Zimbabwe’s bid for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. Our backing is based on the deep political coordination and mutual understanding between our nations.
Zimbabwe has also been confident and consistent in its approach to global issues, including the situation around Ukraine, demonstrating understanding of Russia’s position and the roots of the crisis.
Zimbabwe participates actively in international forums organised by Russia, especially the Russia-Africa summits.
President Mnangagwa attended the first in 2019 and the second in 2023. Another summit is expected next year, possibly in Africa, and I would not be surprised if Zimbabwe proposed Victoria Falls as a host venue.
In November, we will hold the Russia-Africa Ministerial Conference in Cairo, and we look forward to Zimbabwe’s active participation.
This event will focus heavily on trade and economic cooperation — areas where Zimbabwe stands to benefit significantly.
Q: Ambassador, Zimbabwe has also expressed interest in joining BRICS. Given Russia’s key role in the group, how does Moscow view Harare’s ambitions?
A: Russia strongly supports Zimbabwe’s keen interest in engaging with BRICS.
There are several levels of involvement, and it’s up to Zimbabwe to choose its path, whether as an observer, an invited participant at the next summit in India, or by focusing on joining the New Development Bank.
Decisions in BRICS are made by consensus, but as far as Russia is concerned, we welcome Zimbabwe’s integration into the BRICS family.
This reflects Zimbabwe’s balanced and pragmatic foreign policy — a friend to all and enemy to none.
We value Zimbabwe as a responsible member of the international community and we need Zimbabwe in the Security Council as a trusted and constructive voice.
Q: Lastly, how would you characterise your stay in Zimbabwe since the commencement of your tenure?
A: You know, my love with Zimbabwe started a long time ago. I started coming to this country in 1994 because my first assignment as a diplomat was in Zambia.
So, very often we crossed from Zambia to come to Zimbabwe, mostly for shopping because in Lusaka, by that time, we had only Shoprite Zambia, which was very small, but here, you know, it was not necessarily to go all the way to Harare. We could come up to Karoi, where there was a Spar supermarket. But my stay in Zimbabwe has been extremely successful and I believe very productive in terms of developing our relations judging from the assessment that Moscow has of our mission and every time I meet His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, he is satisfied and he always encourages me to do more and more.
You know, I’m trying my best.
I presented my credentials in October (yet) in the middle, in September, I was invited to attend the funeral ceremony for late President Mugabe and I was the only ambassador among all ambassadors who was invited to deliver a speech at the national stadium.
And by the time, I was not a true ambassador because I had not presented my credentials. So, it was a breach of protocol and it was a demonstration of great confidence.
Also, just two examples.
Over quite some time I had a problem with the road in front of the Russian Embassy; we had potholes. Many times I approached high offices in Harare asking to repair this road . . . they gave me a lot of promises and, you know, we put some deadlines.
Time was passing by and nothing happened, and just recently I had to attend some function with the participation of one of the high officials responsible for doing this. I instructed my diplomat to tell the Zimbabwean Government official that I have no other option but to approach His Excellency to express my grievance.
So, when my diplomat was on the road to the function, they started fixing it and not just potholes, but complete restoration of the road in a proper way.
So, as soon as I saw it, I had to call my guy and tell him, no, please do not tell the official anymore.
And then the other thing, I was invited to a function and at this function everybody was supposed to wear some clothes with African prints, reflecting some African culture, African traditions.
Just on the eve of this function, I realised that I had nothing to wear because I did not pay much attention to this.
So, I approached a good friend, and he directed me to Feli Nandi . . . I begged her to do something . . .
Overnight, she managed to get a tailor to make a proper shirt and it was wonderful.
So, my best regards to Feli Nandi, who doesn’t only sing and drum.
She is talented in all spheres of life.
