During the two-day Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended a gesture of support to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa by offering him a presidential helicopter. The summit is seen as a test of Putin’s relations with African leaders following the Ukraine invasion.
The Zimbabwean Ministry of Information announced the generous offer made by President Putin on social media, sharing photos of President Mnangagwa descending the aircraft’s steps and sitting in the cabin with glasses of white wine and a bowl of fruit laid out on a table.
Zimbabwe has been subject to American and European sanctions due to allegations of corruption and human rights violations. President Mnangagwa, who is seeking re-election in an upcoming election, has attributed his country’s economic challenges to these sanctions.
Mr. Putin also announced that Zimbabwe is one of six African countries to receive free grain from Russia after the Kremlin terminated the agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports to pass through the Black Sea.
His Excellency President Putin has given His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa a Presidential Helicopter, which will soon be delivered to Zimbabwe.#Engagement pic.twitter.com/BBVYwN0xSo
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) July 27, 2023
