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MOSCOW — The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Zimbabwe Jacob Mudenda addressed members of the State Duma at the plenary session yesterday.

Earlier, the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin held a meeting with Mr Mudenda.
In his speech, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe drew attention to a special military operation in Ukraine. He stressed that the Republic “supports all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the conflict”.

“However, this conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine is complex and deeply rooted in the history of geopolitics. For many centuries, the history of Russia and Ukraine has been inextricably linked,” he said.
State Duma is the Lower House of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

Advocate Jacob Mudenda

He is convinced that there is real threat for the Russian Federation posed by the presence of NATO’s nuclear arsenal “at arm’s length near its borders.” According to Mr Mudenda, the special military operation in Ukraine should be considered as a pre-emptive defensive step against the enemy.

The Speaker of the Parliament also noted the importance of the swift end to the conflict for the African continent. Russia and Ukraine are the food suppliers; its shortage is felt in Africa: the rise in food prices causes concern, Africans are forced to cut their spending, as he added.

“Food inflation affects a lot of poor people, who spend a significant part of their money on buying food. People have to buy products of lower quality,” said Mr Mudenda.

According to him, Zimbabwe understands well the reasons for Russia’s decision to start the special military operation. That was the reason why the President of the Republic rejected the US call to support sanctions against Russia.

Mr Mudenda also noted the role of Russia in the fate of Africa. He is convinced that Zimbabwe would never have gained independence without Russia.

“Russia firmly supported Zimbabwe’s aspirations for self-determination and independence. Thank you, Russia,” said the Speaker of Parliament. — State Duma