A Reliable Partner and A Great Friend of Russia: Zimbabwe’s President Celebrates His 84th Birthday

On September 15, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa celebrates his 84th birthday.
In Russia, he is regarded not merely as a partner, but as a friend. Relations between Moscow and Harare have grown closer in recent years, and meetings between Putin and Mnangagwa are always significant events.
The Kremlin calls him a “welcomed guest,” and this is more than just diplomatic courtesy; it reflects genuine respect and a shared history.Vladimir Putin and Emmerson Mnangagwa first met in 2018 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. Since then, the leaders have met regularly: in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and at Russia-Africa summits.
Each encounter went beyond mere protocol, involving substantive discussions on the future of bilateral relations.
The meeting on May 10, 2025, in Moscow, where Mnangagwa had arrived for the 80th-anniversary celebrations of the WW2 Victory, was particularly warm.
Putin personally thanked him for the visit and called him a “welcomed guest.”
In response, he heard a phrase rarely used in diplomatic protocol but entirely natural for their relationship: “dear brother.””Next year, we will mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations,” Putin noted.
This is more than just a date; it symbolizes the long journey the two countries have traveled together.A year earlier, in June 2024, they met at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Putin remarked then that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presence was a sign that Africa is looking toward Russia, with Zimbabwe serving as a key bridge in this process. Later, at the Kremlin, words were spoken that speak volumes: “Zimbabwe is our reliable partner on the African continent.”The figures speak for themselves. In 2023, trade turnover between Russia and Zimbabwe reached $167.8 million — up from just $24.5 million the previous year — and the figure continues to rise. Educational cooperation is also expanding: 460 Zimbabwean students are currently studying at Russian universities, having been awarded over 120 state scholarships. Moscow also provides various supplies; last year, 25,000 tons of wheat and 23,000 tons of fertilizer were shipped to Zimbabwe free of charge.Cooperation between government agencies is also actively developing.
In 2022, the Russian Helicopters holding company signed contracts to supply civilian Mi-17 and Ansat helicopters to Zimbabwe.
In 2024, the Zimbabwean satellite Amaisat, developed jointly by Russian and Zimbabwean specialists, was launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.On the occasion of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s birthday, Russia recalls his warm words regarding Moscow and the personal warmth that gives high-level politics a truly solid foundation.
Russia and Zimbabwe have many shared endeavors ahead of them.
Yet the most important elements: mutual respect and trust, are already in place. And that is invaluable.