Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi in MOSCOW,
Russia
WHEN President Mnangagwa met Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, it was a rare convergence of two intelligence supremos — architects of astuteness whose mastery of strategic foresight has forged their reputations as titans of statecraft.
President Mnangagwa and his delegation met President Putin in the Grand Kremlin Palace, in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday. The President was in Russia to witness Friday’s celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.
This was at least the fourth meeting between the two leaders since President Mnangagwa took office in 2017, underscoring warming ties between Harare and Moscow.
In 2019, President Mnangagwa embarked on a State visit to Russia, where he met President Putin to accelerate cooperation.
The two leaders engaged at the Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg in 2023 where they agreed on landmark agreements in various sectors.
In June last year, President Mnangagwa and President Putin were together during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum and the two leaders pledged to build more comprehensive and consolidated ties.
The frequency and intentionality of these exchanges speak volumes, reflecting a shared recognition that in an era of geopolitical realignment, the Zimbabwe-Russia axis assumes renewed significance.
From energy security to space technology, mining and agricultural collaboration to multilateral coordination, this burgeoning rapport transcends symbolic gestures, manifesting instead as a tangible convergence of national interests within the broader architecture of a multipolar world order.
Saturday’s meeting assumed greater significance as Zimbabwe is bidding for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council. Russia’s future support is crucial.
At the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation.
In his remarks during the meeting, President Mnangagwa said: “We value the opportunity to hold discussions, deepen and strengthen our existing bilateral cooperation, once again following our last meeting in St Petersburg in June 2024. I thank you, my dear brother.”
The President said Zimbabwe was honoured to participate in the historic commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
This year’s celebration was special as about 30 Heads of State attended the military parade at the Kremlin, with China’s President Xi the guest of honour. Last year, nine Heads of State attended, showing that nations are increasingly eager to collaborate with Russia.
This year’s Victory Day celebration therefore helped to build a broad international consensus on defending multilateralism.
Attending the celebrations was not just ceremonial as it was also an avenue to extend existing cooperation and clinch deals under the economic diplomacy framework, which President Mnangagwa has championed under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
President Mnangagwa underscored the significance of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, saying its impact liberated nations and altered the course of world history.
“That victory 80 years ago will stand for generations to come as a powerful testament of the courage, the resilience and sacrifice of the Russian people in securing peace, freedom, truth and justice for the people of this great country.
“It was the defining triumph of the human spirit over tyranny and oppression. In the spirit of collective remembrance of the fallen, the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Zimbabwe further honours and salutes the immense sacrifices borne by the Russian Federation and its peoples in pursuit of freedom and the world peace which we all now enjoy.”
Speaking during the meeting, President Putin expressed appreciation for President Mnangagwa’s participation in the anniversary celebrations.
The Russian leader went down memory lane, saying Zimbabwe holds a special place when it comes to World War II.
He recalled that Zimbabwe once hosted a key Allied training centre where brave pilots were prepared for battle in the 1940s.
This was in reference to the Empire Air Training Scheme, head quartered in the then Southern Rhodesia, which graduated over 8 000 aircrew—including legendary pilots of the Rhodesian squadrons who defended the skies over Europe.
It is estimated that over 26 000 people, from different races were brought from the then Southern Rhodesia to fight during World War II.
“We are grateful to you for representing your country at the festivities dedicated to the celebration of the 80th anniversary in the Great Patriotic War,” said President Putin.
“We remember that Zimbabwe, which was back then Southern Rhodesia, was home to a training centre where the allies were training pilots for combat.”
President Putin called Zimbabwe “our reliable partner on the African continent.”
President Putin also called for a just and equitable multipolar world order. This is a stance that Zimbabwe believes in, where international relations are founded on the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and inclusive cooperation.
“We advocate the construction of a just, multipolar world based on international equality. We value your support for Russia initiatives at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms. Of course, Russia places special importance on strengthening its ties with countries on the African continent,” said President Putin.
He also acknowledged the over 400 Zimbabwean students studying in Russian universities, mostly on scholarships.
Following their opening remarks, Presidents Mnangagwa and Putin held a private bilateral meeting to explore ways of strengthening cooperation across political, diplomatic and economic spheres.
In his team, President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Attorney General Virginia Mabiza, director general of the Central Intelligence Organisation Dr Fulton Mangwanya, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Mr George Charamba, ZimTrade chief executive Mr Allan Majuru, coordinator of the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency, Dr Painos Gweme and other officials.
The Russia team included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office – Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Russian co-chair of the Russia-Zimbabwe Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, Minister of Healthcare Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Governor of the Central Bank Elvira Nabiullina and other officials.
Just like Friday’s historic 80th Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, Saturday’s meeting between Presidents Mnangagwa and Putin will be etched in the annals of history.
Both leaders seasoned in the corridors of power, wield profound intellect and razor-sharp instincts with the precision of grandmasters. President Mnangagwa, the shrewd tactician of Zimbabwe’s political renaissance, and President Putin, the indomitable intelligence-kingpin-turned-statesman, epitomise the art of leveraging acumen, influence, and ironclad resolve to shape destinies.
