Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbe is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin today, Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
The high-level visit aims to significantly strengthen cooperation between the two nations, focusing particularly on peace, security, and development.
The two leaders are expected to discuss expanding their partnership across several priority sectors, including diplomacy, trade, agriculture, energy, training, and food security. They will also examine international issues of common interest, such as regional security in West Africa, the fight against climate change, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Gnassingbe’s trip occurs amid a gradual but steady rapprochement between Russia and numerous African countries. For Togo, this momentum began in June 2018 with the visit of Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian President’s Special Representative for Africa.
Since that initial step, bilateral exchanges have intensified significantly, with a central pillar of cooperation being the strengthening of human capital. Russia has regularly awarded state scholarships to Togolese students, with a noticeable increase: 86 scholarships were granted for the 2024-2025 academic year, a sharp rise from just ten two years prior.
Collaboration in the security sphere has also been substantially strengthened. In October 2025, a framework agreement for military cooperation was formally ratified between Moscow and Lomé. This agreement provides for joint exercises, comprehensive training programs, intelligence sharing, and emergency medical assistance.
Faure Gnassingbe’s visit thus comes at a crucial time for both states as they seek to consolidate the gains made in these strategic and educational fields. The discussions are expected to identify new partnership opportunities consistent with Togo’s economic and security priorities, contributing to Moscow’s growing presence in West Africa while offering Lomé increased options for key sector cooperation.
RNK/ac/fss/abj/APA