TASS, the Russian News Agency, published on 31 May 2023 a press release titled "Putin Begins Talks with Visiting Eritrean President."
This is the first ever meeting between Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Comment: The visit follows Eritrea's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the only African country to take such a position. Russia has been seeking a military base in the Red Sea. It would not be surprising if this issue is on the agenda.
The visit to Moscow comes soon after President Isaias made a state visit to China. Isaias has been supportive of China's core domestic concerns such as Hong Kong, Tibet, human rights, and Xinjiang. For accounts of his visit to China see Aggrey Mutambo's "Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in State Visit to China" published by The East African on 20 May and Salem Solomon's "In State Visit, Eritrea and China Signal Deeper Partnership" published by the Voice of America on 22 May.
