President Vladimir Putin welcomed Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé to the Kremlin on Wednesday, sealing a deal that will see both countries open full embassies in each other’s capitals next year.
The move ends decades without permanent diplomatic missions and marks Moscow’s latest push to deepen footprints across West Africa.
Trade on the Rise – But Still Small
Putin told reporters that even without embassies, bilateral trade is already growing steadily. He called the current figures “modest but promising” and described the trend as “clearly positive.”
Embassies = Rocket Fuel
Both leaders agreed the new diplomatic outposts, plus the immediate launch of a joint economic commission, will dramatically speed up cooperation.
“I am confident that once our embassies are working, we will not just maintain this momentum – we will sharply accelerate it,” Putin said.
Part of a Bigger African Play
The Togo meeting comes hot on the heels of Russia’s hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit earlier this week, underlining Moscow’s sprint to lock in stronger partnerships across Africa and the Global South.
From Lomé to Moscow, the red carpet is out – and the doors are about to open permanently.
