Prime Minister Abiy and President Putin Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties in Recent Phone Call

Addis ababa: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a phone conversation with President Vladimir Putin of Russia today. The call focused on issues of mutual interest, primarily concerning bilateral relations.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including political, trade, economic, and humanitarian matters. These discussions were a continuation of the agreements reached during Prime Minister Abiy's visit to Moscow in September 2025. Both leaders expressed their commitment to enhancing Russian-Ethiopian relations and agreed to increase interactions between their respective ministries and agencies.Earlier, President Putin conveyed his condolences to the Ethiopian leadership following a deadly natural disaster in the southern part of the country. The Russian Embassy in Ethiopia shared a message from President Putin, expressing his sorrow over the landslides and floods. He addressed his message to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, extending his deepest condolences.President Putin also expressed his solidarity with the victims' families, offering words of sympathy and support. He wished for a swift recovery for those injured by the natural disasters. The calamity followed days of heavy rainfall, which led to destructive floods and landslides in the Gamo Zone of the South Ethiopia Region, causing fatalities and significant damage to property and infrastructure.