Leaders at the third summit between Russia and African countries in Moscow, in a photo released by Eritrea's Ministry of Information, October 29, 2026. Photo: Ministry of Information, Eritrea (@shabait) via X
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki met Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Friday, the Kremlin said, after telling Sputnik Africa that unilateral sanctions are "modern slavery" and must be lifted.
Putin thanked Isaias for supporting Russian initiatives at the United Nations and other multilateral forums and said the two countries "share common positions on many pressing issues on the international agenda," according to the Kremlin transcript, in Mereja Media's translation. He said Moscow saw prospects in energy, mining, infrastructure, agriculture and fisheries, and was helping strengthen Eritrea's food security. Isaias proposed that Russia draw up a set of cooperation programs for each African country, the Kremlin said. The two leaders last met in July 2023 at the second summit between Russia and African countries, RIA Novosti reported.
In an interview with Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the third summit between Russia and African countries, Isaias said "respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are foundational pillars of international law and the global order," according to Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel (@hawelti), who shared parts of the interview on X. "Partnership cannot conceivably be nurtured when these fundamentals are violated and infringed upon," Isaias said. Yemane added: "Sovereignty is the name of the game!"
Sputnik's Swahili service (@sputnik_swahili) quoted Isaias as saying that unilateral sanctions are "modern slavery" and must be lifted, and that such measures are used to impose conditions, pressure Russia and control Africa, which he said is against international law. Africa "should stop blaming others" and "must make a real contribution" to partnership instead of relying on "help from elsewhere," which will not solve its problems, he said, according to Sputnik.
Eritrea's Ministry of Information (@shabait) said the interview focused on relations between Eritrea and Russia, regional and global developments, and global obstacles to strategic partnership. Isaias said those obstacles, especially in the global financial system, must be addressed first, otherwise "discussions on trade, investment and economic cooperation would be meaningless," the ministry said. He also listed conflicts, tensions, political pressure, sanctions and policy limitations as barriers that must be removed.
The two day summit at the Kremlin ended on Thursday. Putin's foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, said on Monday that Friday, October 30, would be "wholly devoted" to bilateral talks, and listed Eritrea among the countries whose leaders Putin would meet that day, along with Somalia, South Sudan, Ghana, Mali and others, TASS reported. The account Eritreans 4 Eritrea (@Eritreans4ERI) said in Tigrinya that the talks would cover security, defense, trade, energy, investment, agriculture and regional stability.
Russia has offered to host the leaders of Eritrea and Ethiopia for talks, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said this week that Moscow was ready to mediate if both sides wanted it, BBC Amharic reported. Neither government has accepted publicly.
Isaias's words drew sharp criticism from Eritrean opponents abroad. The account @AlexanderA86901 wrote that "Eritreans know the real thing," pointing to indefinite national service "that keeps young people in uniform for decades on almost no pay," journalists and critics "held since 2001 without charge" and a 1997 constitution that has never been implemented. The same account wrote that Isaias "has no mandate to sign for Eritreans," noting that Eritrea has held no national election in more than 30 years. Supporters praised the interview. The account Safron (@safron_h) called it "a powerful message" on sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Asmara has sharply rejected recent accusations from Ethiopia and calls from the international community, DW Amharic reported this week.
Isaias said in the interview that partnership with Russia requires "overcoming Western containment efforts," Addis Standard (@addisstandard) reported.
Sources
- Yemane Gebremeskel on X
- Ministry of Information, Eritrea on X
- Sputnik Afrika (Swahili) on X
- Sputnik Afrika (Swahili) on X
- Eritreans 4 Eritrea on X
- @AlexanderA86901 on X
- @AlexanderA86901 on X
- Safron on X
- Addis Standard on X
- TASS (Ushakov on Putin's schedule)
- Kremlin transcript of Putin and Isaias meeting, October 30, 2026 (Russian)
- RIA Novosti (Russian)
- BBC Amharic, October 28, 2026 (Lavrov offer)
- DW Amharic live blog