The President of the Council of Togo, His Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé , paid a state visit to Russia and was received by the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Vladimir Putin , on November 19, 2025, in the Green Hall of the Kremlin. This high-level meeting underscored the shared commitment of both nations to revitalize and strengthen their strategic partnership.

Review of Relationships and Commercial Impulse

The two heads of state held a one-on-one meeting, followed by a broader discussion, to review the scope of bilateral cooperation. They discussed strategic priorities in the diplomatic, trade, economic, and human capital fields.

President Putin praised the strength of diplomatic relations, which celebrated their 65th anniversary this year, and noted the positive growth in trade . To accelerate this momentum, he emphasized concrete measures:

"With the opening of the embassies and the start of the work of the intergovernmental commission, we will be able, on both sides, to do everything possible not only to maintain this momentum, but also to accelerate it."

President Gnassingbé expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and stressed that the imminent establishment of permanent embassies represents an essential "new step", which will materialize the Togolese "state presence" in this partnership.

Priority to Education, Technology and Human Capital

A significant portion of the discussions focused on human capital , including training, innovation, and skills transfer.

President Putin welcomed the presence of Togolese students in Russia, expressing his conviction that they will make a "significant contribution to the development of their country".

The Togolese President reaffirmed the crucial importance of education:

"Education is a priority sector for the future of our country. In today's world, technology plays a significant role, and only education can make a difference. It is crucial to maintain partnerships in this sector for the benefit of our students."

Regional Security and Recognition of Russian Support

Discussions also focused on security and stability challenges in West Africa and the Sahel region.

President Faure Gnassingbé welcomed the Russian Federation's support for the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. He expressed the sincere gratitude of the West African region for the support provided to frontline countries, particularly Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

In conclusion, this state visit confirms the excellent bilateral ties and opens up concrete prospects for a lasting strategic partnership , geared towards shared prosperity, peace and stability.