On October 30, 2026, Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé met with Russian President Vladimir Poutine at the Kremlin in Moscow. The meeting, which included ministerial delegations from both countries, focused on strengthening bilateral relations, consolidating the gains of the third Russia-Africa Summit, and exploring new cooperation opportunities. President Poutine welcomed Gnassingbé's participation in the summit and his commitment to improving relations between Russia and Africa.
President Poutine highlighted the positive evolution of relations between Lomé and Moscow, citing exchanges in November 2025 that opened new collaboration prospects. He praised the Togolese government's attention to cooperation with Russia and noted significant institutional advances, including the entry into force of the Agreement on the Foundations of Relations between the two countries in September 2026. The resumption of activities at the Russian Embassy in Lomé in August and preparations for the opening of a Togolese Embassy in Moscow also demonstrate the two states' desire to strengthen their diplomatic presence.
Economic and commercial cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. President Poutine reported that trade between the two countries reached $852 million in 2025. The activation of the joint intergovernmental commission on cooperation is a key instrument for identifying opportunities and accelerating joint project implementation. The two leaders aim to give new impetus to their partnership in energy, transportation, logistics, geological prospecting, and agriculture.
President Poutine expressed his country's willingness to support Togo's development priorities. The educational and scientific aspects of the rapprochement are also a major axis, with President Poutine noting the growing interest of young Togolese in Russian universities. On the multilateral level, he expressed gratitude to Togo for its support for Russian initiatives within the United Nations and other international forums.
President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé expressed gratitude to President Poutine for the warm welcome extended to the Togolese delegation since its arrival in Moscow. He congratulated Poutine on the successful organization of the Economic Forum and the third Russia-Africa Summit. Gnassingbé praised Poutine's availability and personal engagement in the summit's proceedings.
Gnassingbé highlighted the dynamic bilateral relationship initiated during their previous meeting in November 2025, which has led to the rapid concretization of commitments. He recalled the first session of the joint intergovernmental commission in Lomé in September, which accelerated the implementation of several initiatives. Seven memoranda of understanding have already been signed between the two countries in various fields.
The meeting in Moscow reaffirmed the two countries' ambition to consolidate their achievements and expand their partnership. The two leaders are committed to moving from sustained political dialogue to more structured cooperation, driven by concrete projects and mutually beneficial interests. The strengthened partnership aims to promote economic growth and development in both countries.
Key points
- Togo and Russia aim to enhance cooperation in energy, transportation, and logistics.
- The two countries have signed seven memoranda of understanding in various fields since November 2025.
- Trade between Togo and Russia reached $852 million in 2025.
