Benin–Russia relations

Benin	Russia

Benin–Russia relations are the relations between the two countries, Benin and Russia.

Soviet-era relations

The Soviet Union recognised the Republic of Dahomey as an independent and sovereign state on 18 August 1960, and diplomatic relations between the two states were established on 4 June 1962.^[1] From 24 July 1962, diplomatic relations between the two countries were conducted via the Soviet Embassy in Togo, until 1 February 1966, when the first Soviet Ambassador to Benin, Alexander Nikitich Abramov, was appointed.^[2][3]

Relations between the two countries were initially minimal, however, Soviet interactions with the country intensified after Mathieu Kérékou came to power in a coup in October 1972, and who proclaimed in 1974 that Dahomey would follow a Marxist-Leninist course. This saw the Soviet Union becoming Kérékou's major political ally in the international stage.^[3][4] From 1974 to 1983, more than 60% of Benin's arms imports were from the Soviet Union.^[5]

The Soviet Navy made periodic port calls to Cotonou, where between 1953 and 1980 a total of 462 ship days were spent in the capital.^[6]

In November 1986, Kérékou went on a state visit to the Soviet Union, and met with Mikhail Gorbachev. During the visit a declaration of friendship and co-operation was signed.^[7]

Russian Federation relations

On 9 January 1992 Benin recognised the Russian Federation as the successor state to the Soviet Union, after the latter's dissolution.^[3] Russia has an embassy in Cotonou, and Benin has an embassy in Moscow.