Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow had raised its scholarship quota for South Sudanese students to 40 places for the 2026–2027 academic year, as he held talks with President Salva Kiir in Moscow on expanding bilateral relations.
Putin announced the allocation during a meeting with Kiir at the Kremlin, saying Russia would continue supporting the training of South Sudanese personnel as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
“We shall continue to assist in training personnel for South Sudan. For 2026/2027, we have raised the quota to 40 people,” Putin said.
The announcement provides additional opportunities for South Sudanese citizens to pursue higher education and professional training at Russian institutions, although Putin did not specify the fields of study covered by the allocation.
Putin described relations between Russia and South Sudan as friendly, noting that the two countries marked the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
He recalled Kiir’s visit to Moscow in September 2023, when the two leaders held talks on bilateral and regional issues and agreed to establish a Russian embassy in Juba.
Putin said the diplomatic mission would contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries, adding that Russia’s ambassador had presented his credentials to Kiir in January.
Trade and economic ties
Putin said the two governments were working to identify ways of expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation, acknowledging that the potential of their relationship had not been fully realised.
“Together we are exploring ways to strengthen bilateral trade and economic engagement. Plainly, our potential is not yet fully realised,” he said.
He did not announce specific trade agreements or investment commitments during the public opening remarks of the meeting.
Putin also expressed satisfaction with cooperation between the two countries in international affairs, particularly at the United Nations, where he said Moscow and Juba held closely aligned positions on key issues.
He said the meeting provided an opportunity to review the main areas of bilateral cooperation and discuss issues of mutual interest.
Kiir welcomes closer ties
Kiir thanked Putin for inviting him to Moscow and making time to meet with the South Sudanese delegation.
He said he had travelled with ministers and senior government officials from different sectors to introduce them to the Russian president and discuss opportunities for closer cooperation.
Kiir expressed South Sudan’s readiness to strengthen relations with Russia, saying his government was committed to developing cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting followed the third Russia-Africa Summit, held in Moscow on October 28 and 29, which brought together African leaders and Russian officials to discuss political, economic and diplomatic cooperation.
Delegation
Kiir was accompanied by caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Cecilia Adut Manyok, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Wek Mamer Kuol, Petroleum Minister Awow Daniel Chuang and Defence Minister Ayor Akuoch Anok.
Other members of the delegation included Central Bank Governor Addis Ababa Othow and Nile Petroleum Corporation Managing Director Emmanuel Athiei.
The talks came as South Sudan seeks to expand its international partnerships and attract cooperation in education, trade and economic development.
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