Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi in Moscow, Russia
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa left Russia yesterday, describing his visit to Moscow as “rewarding” after he engaged in high-level talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
He was seen off at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport by Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Responsible for Africa and the Middle East, Mr Mikhail Bogdanov and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Russia, Mark Grey Marongwe.
Speaking to journalists just before departure, the President said: “We have excellent and revolutionary relations between Harare and Moscow. I had the opportunity of meeting my dear brother, President Putin, and we had discussions about our relations and our co-operation.
“I’m so happy that he gave me the opportunity for us to exchange views about how we can promote and deepen our co-operation.”
President Mnangagwa also revealed that the talks he held with President Putin were pivotal to cementing a strategic partnership between Harare and Moscow.
“I think it has been a very positive and rewarding visit because we were able to discuss the needs, which we have as Zimbabweans and which we believe that Russia can assist us in our development trajectory as a people,” he said.
At the Victory Day celebrations on Friday, President Mnangagwa was among the dozens of world leaders who witnessed a scintillating military display by over 11 500 forces from Russia and its allies.
Russia commemorates the May 9 Victory Day annually to mark the formal surrender of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in World War II (known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia).
World War II was the largest armed conflict in the history of mankind, causing the death of tens of millions of people, mostly innocent civilians.
An estimated 27 million Russian soldiers died during the war.
President Mnangagwa arrived in Moscow last Thursday and was one of the Heads of State who attended a reception and gala dinner hosted by President Putin on that day.
On Friday, after attending the Victory Day celebrations, he met dozens of Zimbabweans studying in Russia to hear their concerns. He urged the students to bring their bright ideas back home to develop the country when they finish their studies.
Mathew Masinge