New era for Russia-Ethiopia relations as defense, currency, and BRICS deals unfold
A high-level Ethiopian delegation led by Chief of the General Staff Field Marshal Birhanu Jula Gelalcha met with senior Russian defense officials led by Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin in Moscow, demonstrating the expanding strategic ties between Russia and Ethiopia.
Ethiopian military officials held discussions with Russian counterparts in Moscow to strengthen bilateral military ties.
The talks emphasized strategic cooperation in regional security and professional military communications.
Ethiopia and Russia are also enhancing economic collaboration, including currency trading and local currency trade initiatives.
According to a statement from Russia's Ministry of Defense, as seen on Sputnik, the discussions focused on implementing existing agreements, military-technical cooperation, responding to regional and global security problems, and expanding future military ties.
Both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to constructive discussion, emphasized the importance of regional stability, and agreed to improve professional military communication among their respective armed services.
The meeting underscored Russia and Ethiopia's strong and budding relationship, which has been steadily improving in recent years.
Growing relationship between Ethiopia and Russia this year so far
This defense involvement occurs at a time when the two countries are collaborating more closely on economic and political issues.
In February 2025, the Kremlin added Ethiopia, along with Nigeria and Tunisia, to the list of African countries whose banks can now engage in currency trading within Russia.
This policy shift represents a significant turning point in Russia's foreign economic relations, particularly as it strives to lessen reliance on Western financial institutions while strengthening connections with non-Western allies.
Shortly after this development, Russia and Ethiopia began to look into the f easibility of trading in their own local currencies.
Ethiopia's ambassador to Russia, Genet Teshome Jirru, highlighted in an interview that both countries are "trending toward doing business in their currencies," emphasizing the slow but purposeful shift towards economic sovereignty and interdependence.
During the same month, Russia established Africa's first large-scale, multi-functional editorial center in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, as part of its overall soft power campaign.
In April 2025, the government confirmed preparations to join the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), becoming the fourth African country, after South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia's regional peer, to apply for membership.
In an interview published on the official website of Brazil's BRICS Chairmanship, Ethiopian Ambassador to Brazil, Leulseged Tadese Abebe, verified Ethiopia's candidacy for NDB membership.
He highlighted that joining the NDB is a national priority, reflecting Ethiopia's overall goal of fully integrating with the BRICS economic systems.
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