Prime Minister Abiy, Russian Putin Discuss Bilateral Issues in Phone Call

Addis Ababa, March 16, 2026 (ENA)— Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a phone conversation with President Vladimir Putin of Russia today.

“(We) held productive call with President Vladimir Putin today on bilateral as well as other issues of mutual interest,” the Premier shared on his social media channels.

The two leaders discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, in line with the agreements reached following PM Abiy’s visit to Moscow in September 2025.

They reaffirmed a mutual commitment to further strengthening friendly Russian-Ethiopian relations and agreed to intensify contacts between the relevant ministries and agencies, it was learned.

Earlier in the day, President Putin conveyed his condolences to Ethiopia’s leadership following a deadly natural disaster in the country’s south.

In a message shared by the Russian Embassy in Ethiopia, the Russian leader expressed deep sorrow over the tragic consequences of landslides and floods.

“Please accept my deepest condolences in connection with the tragic consequences of landslides and floods in the south of your country,” Putin said in a message addressed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie.

He also expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, stating: “Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the families of the victims, as well as wishes for a swift recovery to all those injured by the violence of these natural disasters.”

The disaster followed several days of heavy rainfall that triggered destructive floods and landslides across parts of the Gamo Zone in the South Ethiopia Region, resulting in fatalities and damage to property and infrastructure.