Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Chilombo on the sidelines of the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit (October 30, 2026) V.V. Putin: Nice to meet you. And at the beginning of the conversation, I want to thank you for the attention you give to such an effective way of developing relations between Russia and Africa as a forum regarding bilateral relations, last year marked an extraordinary date - 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We appreciate the level achieved by our interaction. You, as an honorary doctor of the Peoples' Friendship University in Russia, see that we remember and highly value the name of your first prime minister, the prime minister of your country, a true fighter for the freedom and independence of African peoples, Patrice Lumumba. In Russia they really know this name well. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of Russia's most promising and reliable partners on the continent. Russian-Congolese trade relations are strengthening and the trade turnover is increasing. We proceed from the fact that the established intergovernmental commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation will allow us to take our interaction to a new and higher level. Humanitarian contacts are developing. Considering the high demand of Congolese students to study in Russia, the scholarship quota for citizens of your country is 100 places. In general, we strive to strengthen friendly relations with African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, and are open to equal cooperation based on mutual respect and consideration of interests. Today, I repeat, is a good opportunity to discuss the state and prospects of Russian-Congo cooperation, as well as issues of interest on the regional and international agenda.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Chilombo on the sidelines of the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit (October 30, 2026) V.V. Putin: Nice to meet you. And at the beginning of the conversation, I want to thank you for the attention you give to such an effective way of developing relations between Russia and Africa as a forum regarding bilateral relations, last year marked an extraordinary date - 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We appreciate the level achieved by our interaction. You, as an honorary doctor of the Peoples' Friendship University in Russia, see that we remember and highly value the name of your first prime minister, the prime minister of your country, a true fighter for the freedom and independence of African peoples, Patrice Lumumba. In Russia they really know this name well. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of Russia's most promising and reliable partners on the continent. Russian-Congolese trade relations are strengthening and the trade turnover is increasing. We proceed from the fact that the established intergovernmental commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation will allow us to take our interaction to a new and higher level. Humanitarian contacts are developing. Considering the high demand of Congolese students to study in Russia, the scholarship quota for citizens of your country is 100 places. In general, we strive to strengthen friendly relations with African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, and are open to equal cooperation based on mutual respect and consideration of interests. Today, I repeat, is a good opportunity to discuss the state and prospects of Russian-Congo cooperation, as well as issues of interest on the regional and international agenda.