Horn Review attended a briefing by the delegation of the All-Russian political party “United Russia” on Ethio-Russian relations and Russia’s foreign policy towards Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. The delegation, led by H.E. Mr. Andrey Klimov, Russian Federation Senator and Bureau Member of the Supreme Council of the All-Russian political party, arrived in Addis Ababa upon the official invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to participate in the Second Congress of Ethiopia’s ruling party, the Prosperity Party.

During the briefing, H.E. Mr. Klimov emphasized that Russia controls one-third of the world’s natural resources and that Russia’s foreign policy orientation is not shaped by a colonial mentality. He highlighted that Russia’s approach is focused on fostering equal partnerships and mutual respect, rather than imposing dominance or exploiting resources in the way that has been seen in other global powers’ interactions with Africa. He also underlined that Russia’s foreign policy is purely transactional, focusing on promoting Russian technology and forming business partnerships.

When asked whether Russia presents itself as a third option amid the growing rivalry between the US and China in Africa, H.E. Mr. Klimov acknowledged Russia’s “gentle competition” for strategic interests while stressing that Russia aims to maintain equal partnerships and mutual respect with African nations.

Regarding its engagement with countries in the Horn of Africa, where political and security tensions are consistently prevalent, he emphasized that Russia promotes peaceful coexistence among states and will only intervene in matters where invited by the parties with vested interests and authority.