Zimbabwe, Russia celebrate diplomatic ties

Online Reporter

The Russian Federation’s assistance to Zimbabwe since the outbreak of the global Covid-19 pandemic through the provision of equipment and vaccines to fight the scourge is testimony to growing bilateral relations between the two countries, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Acting Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, has said.

In a statement ahead of Thursday’s celebrations of 40 years of diplomatic ties between Zimbabwe and Russia, Professor Murwira said the two countries have had each other’s backs since Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence.

“The history of the two countries pre-date Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence during which the Russian Federation played a pivotal role by providing moral, diplomatic and material support for the struggle that eventually gave birth to a new Zimbabwe in April 1980,” he said.

“The time-tested relationship between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation, whose longevity is being celebrated today, has again been manifest in the Government and people of the Russian Federation’s assistance to Zimbabwe since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, through the provision of much-needed equipment and a life-saving vaccine to help in the fight against the devastating global scourge.

“Beyond their natural boundaries, the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation continue to enjoy each other’s support at various fora, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and other continental and regional bodies, in pursuit of the two countries’ shared vision of just and peaceful world order, especially in these times of increasing threats to global peace and security.”