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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Reporter
Russia has commended Zimbabwe’s national plan for dealing with Covid-19 and praised the international community for fighting the pandemic.

Speaking after paying a courtesy on Vice President Kembo Mohadi at his Munhumutapa Offices in Harare yesterday, Russia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Nikolai Krasilnikov said he was impressed with Zimbabwe’s coronavirus preparedness.

“I would like to express my appreciation for the undertaking by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, with the initiative of His Excellency President Mnangagwa in order to prevent the spread of this disease.

“We are impressed with the national plan of preventing the virus and I am absolutely sure that the international community will overcome this problem together with channelled efforts,” said Ambassador Krasilnikov.

He said in response to the outbreak, Russia has cancelled and rescheduled a number of international and public events.

Ambassador Krasilnikov said he and Vice President Kembo Mohadi had fruitful deliberations on a number of projects, which include investments in mining as well as education.

VP Mohadi encouraged them to also consider investing in infrastructure development, agriculture and renewable energy.

“I have also encouraged them to delve in other areas in mining outside diamond and platinum i.e renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure,” said VP Mohadi.

He described Zimbabwe’s relations with Russia as cordial saying together with China, Russia vetoed against comprehensive sanctions from the United Nations Security Council.

He said even during the liberation struggle, Russia supported Zimbabwe.

“You will recall that when we were about to be slapped with comprehensive sanctions by the Americans and the British through the UN, it was the Russians and the Chinese that had to veto it, otherwise we would have been under comprehensive sanctions.

“It would have meant the entire world isolating us, but in this case it was not the case,” said VP Mohadi.

In Zimbabwe, the Russians have signed a number of memorandum of understandings with Government, chief among them being the platinum venture, known as the Great Dyke Investment.

Russia is also providing scholarships to Zimbabwean students partaking different disciplines in education.