Kenya is set to deepen its relations with Russia to increase its trade volumes.
President William Ruto said trade between the two countries is still low despite the huge potential. He said Kenya and Russia will sign a trade pact that will give business the necessary impetus.
He spoke on Monday at State House, Nairobi, when he hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The two leaders agreed on the need to reform the United Nations Security Council to make it more representative and more responsive to the needs of the 21st century.
President Ruto said Africa should be represented at the security council, the UN's top-decision making organ.
"The continent can bring to the table rich ideas, suggestions and experiences that would serve the globe well," he said.
The President said that Kenya and Africa count on friends like Russia in the creation of a new architecture at the council. Russia is a permanent member of the UNSC.
Others are the US, UK, France and China.The council also has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
On the raging Russia-Ukraine War,Ruto reiterated Kenya's steadfast position on respect for territorial integrity of member states as outlined in the UN Charter.
"Kenya won't take sides on a matter that has friends on both sides. However, we call for a resolution of the conflict in a manner respectful to the two parties," he said.
Lavrov praised the 60 years' friendship between his country and Kenya, saying Russia's relationship with the continent has a new momentum after the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit. He said science cooperation between the two countries has been growing.
He was in Nairobi on his way to a meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, India, China and South Africa) ministers of Foreign and International Relations in Cape Town, South Africa.
