Ny Hasina Andriamanjato, Madagascar's newly designated ambassador to Moscow, officially began his diplomatic mission on July 1st. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gueorgui Borissenko received the ambassador and accepted the certified copies of his credentials, according to an announcement by the Russian Foreign Ministry. This meeting marks the official start of Ny Hasina Andriamanjato's mission in a context of strengthened relations between Antananarivo and Moscou. A former Foreign Minister in 2009 and former close collaborator of Andry Rajoelina, he makes a notable return to the political scene after several years of relative silence. Under the Refondation regime, he inherits a strategic post as Madagascar seeks to diversify its international partnerships. According to Russian authorities, discussions focused on current priorities of Russian-Malagasy cooperation, with particular emphasis on implementing agreements concluded during high-level meetings organized in early 2026. Both parties also discussed preparations for the third Russia-Africa Summit.