Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Russian Embassy in Addis Ababa.
The leaders discussed issues of bilateral cooperation at a time when the Middle East is experiencing a major crisis that has pitted Israel and its ally, the United States, against Iran.
The conversation took place two days after Prime Minister Abiy’s visit to the United Arab Emirates, one of the Middle Eastern countries affected by the escalating tensions.
According to the embassy, the two leaders “discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic, and humanitarian spheres, in line with the agreements reached following Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Moscow in September 2025.” They also agreed to strengthen bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Abiy also said in a Facebook post he has held “Productive call with President Vladimir Putin today on bilateral as well as other issues of mutual interest.” The post did not detail subjects of their discussion.
It remains unclear whether the two leaders specifically discussed the Middle East crisis during their call.The war between Israel and Iran, with the involvement of the United States, has disrupted global oil and gas supply chains.
As a retaliatory measure, Iran reportedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route through which a large portion of the world’s oil passes, leading to a spike in global energy prices.
Although the conflict is geographically distant, its impact has been felt across Africa, including Ethiopia. Several Middle Eastern countries targeted by Iranian drone and missile attacks on U.S. bases have called for diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
