Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chadian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul attend a signing ceremony during a meeting in Moscow on July 14, 2026.
Vsevolod Sviridov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s latest Africa tour is significant – but not because it is a one-of-a-kind event.
Quite the opposite – such trips have become routine for Russian diplomacy, which is precisely what makes them meaningful. While the West continues to talk about Russia’s “isolation,” Lavrov’s regular visits to Africa demonstrate the opposite: Moscow has not been left out of international politics and is intensifying engagement with partners in Africa – including African nations, regional associations, and continental structures.
On July 7, Lavrov began his new Africa tour in Ethiopia. The Russian government aircraft landed in Addis Ababa the day before. Lavrov held talks with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos, was received by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and also met with the chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. Lavrov’s previous visit to Ethiopia took place in 2022, which means the current trip falls within the established framework of regular political dialogue.
