🇷🇺🤝🇱🇸Russia - Lesotho: Partnership Built on Respect and Shared Values
Key takeaways from thearticleby Ambassador Roman Ambarov, published in the "Public Eye" newspaper on 6 February 2026:
• On 1 February 2026, the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Lesotho marked the 46th anniversary of diplomatic ties, rooted in friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to sovereignty.
• The diplomatic relations between our countries date back to 1980, with agreements concluded in culture, education, science, and economics. These ties continue to guide cooperation today.
• Russia-Lesotho relations have never been shaped by colonialism or external pressure - a key source of mutual understanding and trust.
• Moscow and Maseru often hold similar positions on international issues, standing for genuine sovereignty and independent development paths.
• Russia-Africa Summits and Russia-Africa Partnership Forum have created a solid framework for political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation across the continent.
• Russia-Africa trade exceeded $27 billion in 2024 and continues to grow, with new opportunities for cooperation with Lesotho.
• Food security remains one of the most pressing global challenges. Russia makes a consistent contribution to addressing this issue in Africa through regular supplies of grain, fertilizers, and fuel, including the urgent humanitarian deliveries.
☝️In recent years, 200,000 tons of Russian wheat and more than 100,000 tons of fertilizers have been donated to the African countries in need.
• Over 32,000 African students study in Russia today. Lesotho students are warmly invited, especially in sustainable development fields.
• Russia supports Africa’s modern struggle for sovereignty and works with African partners at the UN to counter all forms of neo-colonialism.
READ IN FULL (in Telegraph)
#RussiaLesotho
🇷🇺🤝🇱🇸Russia - Lesotho: Partnership Built on Respect and Shared Values
Key takeaways from thearticleby Ambassador Roman Ambarov, published in the "Public Eye" newspaper on 6 February 2026:
• On 1 February 2026, the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Lesotho marked the 46th anniversary of diplomatic ties, rooted in friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to sovereignty.
• The diplomatic relations between our countries date back to 1980, with agreements concluded in culture, education, science, and economics. These ties continue to guide cooperation today.
• Russia-Lesotho relations have never been shaped by colonialism or external pressure - a key source of mutual understanding and trust.
• Moscow and Maseru often hold similar positions on international issues, standing for genuine sovereignty and independent development paths.
• Russia-Africa Summits and Russia-Africa Partnership Forum have created a solid framework for political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation across the continent.
• Russia-Africa trade exceeded $27 billion in 2024 and continues to grow, with new opportunities for cooperation with Lesotho.
• Food security remains one of the most pressing global challenges. Russia makes a consistent contribution to addressing this issue in Africa through regular supplies of grain, fertilizers, and fuel, including the urgent humanitarian deliveries.
☝️In recent years, 200,000 tons of Russian wheat and more than 100,000 tons of fertilizers have been donated to the African countries in need.
• Over 32,000 African students study in Russia today. Lesotho students are warmly invited, especially in sustainable development fields.
• Russia supports Africa’s modern struggle for sovereignty and works with African partners at the UN to counter all forms of neo-colonialism.
READ IN FULL (in Telegraph)
#RussiaLesotho
🇷🇺🤝🇱🇸 46th anniversary of the Russia-Lesotho diplomatic relations
46 years ago, on Feb 1, 1980, the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Embassy of the USSR and later of Russia operated in Maseru in 1983-1992.
In the mid-1980s the two countries signed agreements on cultural and scientific cooperation, on economic and technical interaction.
Russia and Lesotho
collaborate in different fora including the #UN and its specialised agencies, in a true spirit of partnership.
More than four decades later, the two countries continue to pursue a shared direction in the development of their relations.
✍️ In 2025, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Lejone Mpotjoane,exchanged messages of greetings. In their messages, the foreign ministers reaffirmed Moscow’s and Maseru’s mutual interest in expanding cooperation in political, trade-economic, and other areas, as well as in strengthening coordination on international issues.
#RussiaLesotho
🇷🇺🇱🇸 On 27 August 2025, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho Roman Ambarov met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho Justice Nthomeng Majara.
As part of the meeting, bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries was considered, with particular attention to the development of economic, trade, investment, cultural, and humanitarian partnerships between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
🤝 Both sides reaffirmed their shared interest in maintaining a constructive political dialogue.
#RussiaLesotho#RussiaAfrica
🇷🇺🇱🇸 On 27 August 2025, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to South Africa Roman Ambarov presented his credentials to the King of Lesotho His Majesty Letsie III.
💬 Ambassador Roman Ambarov:
“I am honoured to start my tour of duty as Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The complexities and difficulties of the present global geopolitical and economic landscape make it imperative for Russia and Lesotho to cooperate more closely on bilateral and multilateral levels.
Our interaction has always been characterized by mutual respect on the topical issues of international agenda.
I believe that the ties between our countries will evolve into a stronger and more efficient partnership. Russia is committed to building a thriving relationship with the Kingdom of Lesotho – our historical friend.”
🤝 The King of Lesotho His Majesty Letsie III conveyed warm greetings to President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and wished prosperity to the Russian people.
📸Photo: Courtesy of Lesotho National Broadcasting Service
#RussiaLesotho#RussiaAfrica
🇷🇺🥾🇱🇸The Russian Embassy in South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho is participating in the annual Moshoeshoe Walk in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Ahead of the King’s trek to Thaba Bosiu, the historic Mountain of the Night, Russian diplomat Ilya Baranov spoke with a Lesotho radio station and shared his impressions of the event.
“Today I am excited to join hundreds of Basotho walking along the heritage path of King Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation.
Personally, I find it inspiring when a journey on foot becomes an immersive exploration of tradition, folklore and nature – and the Moshoeshoe Walk offers exactly that.
In this regard, Russia and Lesotho have much in common. Both our nations understand and cherish the importance of reconnecting with our legacy through landscape and history.
For instance, back home, in Moscow, I hiked the Doroga v Lavru, an ancient Russian pilgrimage route stretching from the Red Square to the Trinity Lavra of St Sergius, one of Russia’s most important spiritual centres.”
🤩🤝 We thank our friends in Lesotho for the opportunity to take part in this meaningful event and to walk along the historic path of King Moshoeshoe I together with the Basotho people.
#RussiaLesotho#MoshoeshoeWalk2026
🇷🇺🇱🇸 Ambassador of Russia to South Africa Roman #Ambarov sent birthday greetings to His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho.
✍️ The message reads, in part:
“The Russian Federation values the respectful relations between our two countries and we remain committed to continued engagement in areas of mutual interest. It would be a privilege for me to enhance this constructive dialogue.
May this special occasion bring Your Majesty peace and good health and may the people of Lesotho enjoy well-being and stability.”
#RussiaLesotho#RussiaAfrica
🇱🇸🇷🇺 On 16 February 2026 additional education course «STEP Transformation in Africa» for officials of the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho was launched online together with the Institute for International Studies of the MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
All participants will receive certificates of advanced professional training❗️
☝️ As part of the course, Lesotho civil servants will have the opportunity to study modern approaches to international political economy and its practical application, as well as technological transformation of the global system, which is crucial for addressing the current challenges that the Kingdom faces.
#RussiaLesotho#RussianEducation#MGIMOUniversity