Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
RUSSIA has says it views Zimbabwe’s integration into the BRICS framework as a natural alignment, pledging to help it access non-conditional, long-term loans for key national projects in energy security and industrial value addition while bypassing Western regulatory mechanisms, Russia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Sergei Berdnikov has said.
In an interview with Zimpapers, Ambassador Berdnikov said Zimbabwe’s admission to the BRICS New Development Bank would help advocate for a greater role for developing countries in global governance and international institutions.
“Russia views Zimbabwe’s integration into the BRICS framework as a natural alignment with shared principles of multipolarity, sovereign equality and equitable economic development. Following Zimbabwe’s formal admission into the New Development Bank, Russia and other member states could provide institutional support to help Harare access non-conditional, long-term financing.
“This mechanism would target infrastructure development, energy security, digital transformation and industrial value addition, bypassing Western regulatory mechanisms.
“Russia and other BRICS members advocate for a greater role for developing countries in global governance and international institutions, and we could provide support for Zimbabwe’s participation in working groups, forums and summits,” Ambassador Berdnikov said.
Zimbabwe and Russia maintain strong, cordial relations rooted in historical support from the Soviet union during the former’s liberation struggle and reinforced by modern political and economic cooperation in various sectors.
The two countries have also maintained economic resilience in the face of what they regard as unjustified coercive economic measures imposed by the West, in pursuit of their sovereignty and right to self-determination.
Ambassador Berdnikov said the two allies were implementing anti-sanctions mechanisms to strengthen their economic resilience in the face of external restrictions, praising the two countries for developing alternative payment systems and strengthening their respective currencies.
“Russia and Zimbabwe are pursuing different but complementary approaches to strengthening economic resilience in the face of external restrictions. Russia has developed alternative payment and financial-messaging systems, expanded settlements in national currencies, diversified trade and logistics, and introduced extensive state support for domestic producers and exporters.
“Zimbabwe, for its part, is strengthening the ZiG, improving foreign-exchange and capital-flow management, supporting SMEs’ access to foreign currency and diversifying its external economic partnerships,” Ambassador Berdnikov added.
He said joint education cooperation programmes between Zimbabwe and Russia were direct contributions to the two countries’ sovereign and prosperous futures, noting that the Third Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum next month would usher in more opportunities for both sides.
