Zimbabwe and Russia have signed an agreement to jointly counter economic sanctions imposed on both countries by the West, according to reports monitored here on Friday.
The agreement was signed during a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Amon Murwira in Moscow on Thursday.
It aims to boost cooperation in key sectors, including geological exploration, mineral resource extraction, energy, agriculture and defence.
Zimbabwe has been under United States and European Union sanctions for more than two decades, primarily over allegations of human rights violations and electoral irregularities.
The sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans on top officials, have been blamed by Zimbabwe’s government for exacerbating the country’s economic challenges.
Russia, meanwhile, has faced increasing Western sanctions since 2014, when the US and EU imposed restrictions following Crimea’s reunification with Russia.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, the EU has enforced 15 rounds of sanctions, freezing Moscow’s sovereign assets and cutting off nearly all trade and energy ties.
At a press conference following the talks, Murwira described Zimbabwe’s political ties with Russia as “excellent” and stressed the importance of translating them into “robust, mutually beneficial economic cooperation.”
He also reiterated Zimbabwe’s ambition to join the BRICS group, stating that the country is currently at the application stage.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa previously discussed Zimbabwe’s bid with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg last June.
Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting African nations in defence and security, pledging further assistance in military training, law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts.
JN/APA