'Mugabe is a legend,' says Russia' Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavorv has hailed President Mugabe as an African legend and historical figure as he reaffirmed his country's support for the recognition of Africa's voice in the world politics.

Lavrov said this at the launch of a $3 billion platinum mining concern, Great Dyke investments, a joint venture between Russian and Zimbabwean entities.

He said the world system would not be sustainable and Africa is one of the pillars of the evolving world system and Russia would always be with Africa and today we got a confirmation from President Mugabe, a legend, an historical figure that Zimbabwe and Africa will always be with Russia.

Lavrov said in discussions between the two countries during his visit, they had noted the futility of unilateral measures being taken against them by the West.

The United States and its European allies have imposed sanctions on Russia on spurious charges over Ukraine in much the same way they used alleged closure of democratic space to impose a ruinous sanctions regime on Zimbabwe in the wake of the fast-track land reform programme.