KEY POINTS
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa is in Moscow for Russia’s 80th Victory Day, joining 29 world leaders and reinforcing Zimbabwe’s strategic ties with Russia.
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The visit highlights growing cooperation between the two countries in mining, agriculture, space technology, education, and humanitarian aid.
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The event reflects Russia’s pivot toward alliances with Africa, Asia, and Latin America amid rising global tensions and Western sanctions.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in Moscow to participate in the 80th anniversary of Russia’s Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II.
His attendance underscores Zimbabwe’s strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with Russia amid a shifting global geopolitical landscape.
Mnangagwa landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport at approximately 12:30 PM local time (11:30 AM Zimbabwean time), where he was welcomed by Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Africa and the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov, as well as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Russia, Mark Grey Marongwe.
Accompanying the president on this high-profile diplomatic visit are several key government officials, including Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira and Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube. Zimbabwean journalists, including political editor Kuda Bwititi, are on the ground to provide live coverage.
Global commemoration in Moscow reflects Russia’s expanding alliances in the Global South
Herald online reports that President Mnangagwa will join 28 other world leaders for the Victory Day parade on May 9. The list of participating nations includes Armenia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Serbia, Vietnam, and others from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. North Korea and breakaway regions like Abkhazia and South Ossetia are also represented, highlighting Russia’s shifting alliances beyond traditional Western partnerships.
Military contingents from 13 countries—including China, Egypt, Laos, and several Central Asian states—are expected to take part in the iconic march through Red Square. Defence ministers from 31 countries will also be in attendance, marking an unusually large international turnout.
Each year, Russia’s Victory Day parade is a major national event in Moscow, combining military spectacle with political messaging. Last year, only nine world leaders attended, making this year’s broader participation notable amid rising tensions between Russia and the West, especially following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and global sanctions.
“Zimbabwe’s presence at this year’s Victory Day affirms the depth of our strategic partnership with Russia,” said a diplomatic source within Zimbabwe’s delegation. “From education to energy, our cooperation continues to grow.”Russia and Zimbabwe have enjoyed robust bilateral relations in recent years, with a marked increase in economic and scientific cooperation. Key investments by Russian companies have included the Alrosa diamond mining project, which has contributed significantly to Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
Russian company Ecorost has been instrumental in supplying fertilisers to Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, a critical area of focus for the country’s food security goals. Another notable partnership is Zimbabwe’s second space satellite, developed with Russian assistance, which underscores growing collaboration in science and technology.
In 2024, Russia donated 50,000 tonnes of grain and 26,000 tonnes of fertiliser to Zimbabwe, aiding the country during an El Niño-induced drought. Hundreds of Zimbabwean students are currently enrolled in Russian universities, thanks to government-sponsored scholarships, further cementing educational ties.
“These are not symbolic relationships,” noted Professor Murwira. “They deliver real value to our citizens through development, education, and economic opportunity.”
The diplomatic visit also serves as an opportunity for bilateral engagements on trade, defense, and technology. Analysts suggest Zimbabwe is strategically leveraging its neutral stance on global conflicts to secure support and investment from non-Western powers like Russia and China.
As the May 9 celebrations unfold in Moscow, Zimbabwe’s participation sends a clear signal: Harare is aligning more deeply with Eastern allies, building a diversified foreign policy that prioritizes mutual development and resistance to Western political pressure.
