A meeting between President Joao Lourenco and Russian Ambassador to Angola, Vladimir Tararov, on strengthening bilateral relations has resulted in the donation of 50 ‘luxury’ ambulances to the Angolan Ministry of Health.
What You Need to Know:
Speaking to local press outside of the Presidential Palace in Luanda, Tararov, who, according to local press, was accompanied by Russian businessmen from St. Petersburg, announced his country’s interest in furthering economic cooperation through the acquisition of land to produce coffee and bananas, as well as to “ensure direct supplies to Russian chocolate production companies.”
Tararov also mentioned that he welcomed President Lourenco on behalf of President Putin to take part in the Russian commemoration of the victory against fascism, stating, “I even delivered an invitation from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to the President of the Republic of Angola, Joao Lourenco, to visit Russia on May 9, 2025, when we will celebrate a big Victory Day celebration on the second patriotic war.”
Additionally, Tararov hinted at a Summit which is to be held in November in the Russian city of Sochi between the Russian Foreign Ministry and various African Ministers on the topic of world peace and security.
The Details:
The Russian Ambassador also noted that while trade between the two nations was “not very large,” Russian diamond mining company ‘Alrosa’ continues to operate in Angola “without limitations.”
The statement comes as Angolan authorities, as reported by local press Expansao in mid-January, have sought to expel Alrosa from the Sociedade de Catoca, a joint venture between Angola state-owned company Endiama and Alrosa. The Sociedade de Catoca owns the fourth largest diamond mine in the world but mining efforts have been hampered due to sanctions placed on Alrosa by the European Union in early January.
The placing of Alrosa on the EU sanctions list followed the ban on the importation of Russian gems by the Group of Seven (G7) nations in early December 2023.
The attempt to remove Alrosa from the Sociedade de Catoca has resulted in deadlocked negotiations, with Alrosa owning 41% of Sociedade de Catoca and the Angolan government looking to end the partnership without providing compensation.
So, What Now?:
The Russian Ambassador’s meeting with President Lourenco, in addition to the donation of 50 ambulances, signals the Russian government’s keen interest in ensuring Alrosa is allowed to continue operating in Angola.
The move comes as the United States and Angola have begun to strengthen relations, following the arrival of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the country in late January to discuss investment in infrastructure, the implementation of agricultural initiatives, and to commend Lourenco on his mediation efforts between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
With Angola traditionally in the Russian sphere of influence, dating back to the Cold War, a renewed relationship between the US and Angola is likely to threaten Russia’s hold on Angola’s vast mineral resources.
