The Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Her Excellency Mrs Valentina Matvienko has said that co-operation with Zambia is one of Russia’s important priorities.  Speaking during the address to the National Assembly of Zambia on Tuesday, 18th February, 2020, Mrs Matvienko said Zambia enjoys a long history of co-operation with the Russian Federation, with the Soviet Union being the first country to recognise Zambia’s independence.