Addis Ababa, October 28, 2026 (FMC) — When Russian President Vladimir Putin described Ethiopia as “a long-standing and reliable partner of Russia on the African continent” during his September meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in New Delhi, he was acknowledging a relationship shaped by history, diplomatic continuity and renewed strategic interests.
Behind those words lies a story of two countries whose ties have traversed changing political systems, international upheavals and generations of people-to-people connections, while opening new opportunities for cooperation in a rapidly changing world.
Ethiopia’s standing in this relationship was not built overnight, nor can it be explained by present-day geopolitical alignments alone.
Its foundations reach back to the final decades of the nineteenth century, when Ethiopia was defending its sovereignty amid European colonial expansion and seeking international partners on terms that served its national interests.
In 1895, an Ethiopian diplomatic mission led by Prince Damto travelled to Russia as Emperor Menelik II sought diplomatic support and military assistance ahead of the conflict with Italy.
The following year, Ethiopia’s victory at the Battle of Adwa on March 2, 1896, decisively challenged the colonial assumption that an African nation could be subdued by a European power. Russia provided assistance to Ethiopia during this period, while a 41-member Russian Red Cross mission arrived in May 1896 to treat wounded Ethiopians.
The medical connection later developed into a lasting institutional presence in Addis Ababa.
Formal diplomatic relations were established in February 1898 under Emperor Menelik II, giving institutional shape to a relationship that had already begun to develop through diplomatic, religious, scientific and cultural contacts.
The connection was not simply an exchange between governments: Russian medical professionals, researchers and other visitors contributed to early links between the two societies, while Ethiopian leaders pursued external relationships from the standpoint of their own strategic needs.
The significance of this early history lies not in suggesting that the two countries have always shared identical interests, but in showing how their relationship acquired a durable foundation through concrete encounters at a defining moment in Ethiopia’s modern history.
For Ethiopia, international friendship mattered most when it respected the country’s sovereignty and supported its ability to determine its own future.
The relationship subsequently passed through periods of disruption and renewal. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, ties were interrupted before being restored in 1943. During Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, the Soviet Union opposed Italian aggression in the League of Nations.
A Soviet cultural presence was established in Addis Ababa in 1945, opening another avenue for educational and cultural exchanges.
These developments added new dimensions to a relationship that had already taken root before the emergence of today’s Russian Federation.
During the Soviet era, cooperation expanded considerably, particularly in education, technical training, science, industry and military affairs.
Thousands of Ethiopians studied or received professional training in the Soviet Union, building connections that extended into Ethiopian institutions and professional life.
Although the political character of this period differed sharply from the present, its educational and technical links left a lasting imprint on relations between the two countries.
The end of the Soviet Union and political changes in Ethiopia brought a different international context, and relations did not remain at the same level throughout these transitions.
Yet diplomatic engagement continued, demonstrating that the relationship could adapt as governments and global circumstances changed. This history of interruption, renewal and adjustment is essential to understanding why today’s partnership is more than a simple continuation of any one political era.
In the present day, Ethiopia and Russia are seeking to build cooperation around a broader range of shared interests. Ethiopia’s full membership in BRICS, effective January 1, 2024, has added a multilateral dimension to bilateral ties, giving both countries another platform for engagement on development, economic cooperation and global governance.
During their meeting in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, Putin welcomed Ethiopia’s contribution to BRICS and emphasized that bilateral relations continued to develop on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.
The Russian president also pointed to tangible indicators of renewed engagement. He said bilateral trade had more than tripled in 2025 and noted that more than 20,000 Ethiopians had received education in Russia.
These figures represent more than diplomatic talking points: they point to expanding economic exchanges and a human connection built over generations. The next task is to turn this foundation into broader trade opportunities, investment, technology transfer, research cooperation and skills development that support Ethiopia’s development priorities.
The July 2026 talks between Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Gedion Timothewos and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, followed by the September meeting between PM Abiy and Putin, further reflected the breadth of the current agenda.
Trade, investment, technology and multilateral coordination are now central to efforts to deepen the relationship. The third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow on October 28–29 offers another opportunity to advance these discussions within the wider context of Africa’s engagement with international partners.
Ethiopia’s value as a partner, however, cannot be reduced to its history, geography or participation in international forums. It also rests on its independent diplomatic tradition, its role in African affairs and its pursuit of development partnerships that can serve national priorities.
As the host of the African Union headquarters and an active participant in continental diplomacy, Ethiopia occupies an important place in conversations about Africa’s future and its role in the international system.
For Addis Ababa, a reliable partnership is not a declaration of dependence or an obligation to align automatically with another country’s positions. It is a relationship sustained through engagement, mutual respect and the pursuit of practical benefits, while preserving the freedom to make decisions in accordance with national interests.
That distinction is particularly important in a multipolar world, where countries increasingly seek diversified partnerships and a stronger voice in shaping international affairs.
Putin’s description of Ethiopia as a longstanding and reliable partner therefore captures both a historical connection and a contemporary opportunity.
The relationship has endured not because circumstances have remained unchanged, but because it has passed through different eras and continues to offer avenues for cooperation. Its future will depend on whether both countries can convert diplomatic goodwill into productive economic ties, stronger institutions and benefits felt by their peoples.
From the diplomatic contacts of Menelik II’s era to today’s engagement through BRICS, Ethiopia has approached international partnerships as part of its wider pursuit of sovereignty, development and an influential place in world affairs.
Russia’s recognition of Ethiopia as a reliable African partner reflects that long trajectory. The opportunity now is to give this enduring relationship renewed purpose—building on its history while ensuring that its next chapter delivers meaningful gains for Ethiopia, Russia and their peoples.
By Mesafint Brlie