Russia’s Foreign Minister Arrives in Ethiopia for Official Visit

GOOBJOOG NEWS|ADDIS ABABA: Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, arrived in Addis Ababa on Monday for the first stop of a wider African tour, according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov was received at Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Director General for European and American Affairs, Meles Alem, alongside Russia’s ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin. The visit had not been publicly announced in advance.

Russian officials said Lavrov will hold talks with senior Ethiopian leaders on Tuesday. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding bilateral cooperation, including trade and plans for peaceful nuclear energy development.

The visit follows an agreement reached earlier this year on a roadmap for developing nuclear energy in Ethiopia. It also builds on talks held in Moscow in October 2025, when Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos met Lavrov to strengthen the two countries’ strategic partnership.

This marks Lavrov’s third visit to Ethiopia since 2018. Ethiopia and Russia have maintained diplomatic relations for more than 130 years and are both members of BRICS.