PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is seeking Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal support to expedite collaborative projects across various sectors – including trade, investments, energy transition, military and the nuclear sector – to help strengthen bilateral ties, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Expressing his gratitude to the Russian leader for the rare honour of meeting and discussing comprehensive issues to elevate bilateral ties to a significantly higher level, the Prime Minister said both sides have taken the position to ensure their collaboration covers all fields.
“We are now trying to execute the plans... I seek your personal support that this collaboration can be actualised as soon as possible,” Anwar said during his meeting with Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday.
The Prime Minister described Russia as a great friend of Malaysia and that its President commanded great respect among Malaysians.
During his visit, Anwar said he met with business communities and captains of industries as well as Russia’s top leaders.
He said Putin had met many important leaders over the last few weeks.
“I sympathise with you but I wish you well and I am looking forward to the next few days,” he told the Russian leader.
Leading a delegation of over 70 officials, Anwar arrived in the Russian capital on Tuesday to begin his four-day visit to Russia at the invitation of Putin.
Upon landing at the Vnukovo-2 International Airport, the Prime Minister was welcomed with a guard of honour.
The visit marks Anwar’s second trip to Russia in eight months and the first by a Malaysian prime minister in nearly two decades.
It is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, boosting economic cooperation and enhancing Malaysia’s engagement with the Islamic world, particularly through platforms like the Kazan Forum 2025.
The Kremlin talks are viewed as a pivotal moment in advancing Malaysia-Russia relations amid shifting geopolitical alignments and growing interest in South-South cooperation.
Putin called Malaysia a reliable and important partner of Russia.
“Dear Mr Prime Minister, dear friends, allow me to cordially welcome you to Moscow. Malaysia is our long-standing, very reliable and significant partner – both in general and in South-East Asia,” he said during the meeting.
Economic ties between Russia and Malaysia are stable, the Russian President said.
He added that bilateral trade only decreased by an insignificant amount last year and remained good.
“The Intergovernmental Commission should pay attention to this, look for reasons and do everything to get to a positive trend of development,” he added.
During the meeting, Putin extended an invitation to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to visit Russia.
“I have a big favour to ask. Please convey my best wishes to your head of state, Sultan Ibrahim. We are waiting for him to visit Russia,” Putin told Anwar, the Russian News Agency (TASS) reported.
In a joint press conference, both leaders expressed interest in deepening trade and investment between the two nations.
“We had an extensive discussion, covering a wide spectrum of issues – from education, agriculture, food security, agro-commodities, security and energy to defence,” said Anwar.
The Prime Minister also invited the Russian President to attend the Asean Summit in October.
“On behalf of my government, it would be a major prize if we could have President Putin in Malaysia or, at the latest, during the Asean meeting in October,” he said.
Anwar also requested that Russian airlines, including Aeroflot, resume direct flights to Malaysia as soon as possible.
The Malaysian delegation includes Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang; Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
