PETALING JAYA: Direct flights and visa-free travel between Malaysia and Russia could be the next major steps in strengthening ties, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister raised both initiatives during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.
Anwar noted that the measures, previously agreed in principle, would significantly boost bilateral tourism, trade and investment.
“The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere and offered an opportunity to assess the progress of Malaysia-Russia relations,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
“I raised the need to expedite direct flights and visa-free travel facilities to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.”
Discussions also focused on boosting Malaysian palm oil exports to Russia and exploring ways to double bilateral trade.
Anwar expressed appreciation for Russia’s support in energy cooperation, noting that both nations possessed complementary expertise in the sector.
Both leaders agreed that bilateral pacts must be implemented swiftly.
“Every agreement reached must be swiftly translated into implementation,” Anwar said.
“I proposed a special mechanism between Malaysia and Russia to coordinate and expedite implementation, which President Putin agreed to.”
Anwar also conveyed an invitation from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for Putin to undertake a state visit to Malaysia.
He said the visit could usher in a new chapter in Malaysia-Russia relations, describing bilateral ties as increasingly close, mature and mutually beneficial.
Malaysia and Russia have maintained longstanding diplomatic relations since 1967, with cooperation spanning trade and investment, energy, education, tourism and defence.
Russia was the country’s ninth-largest trading partner among European nations in 2025, with total trade valued at RM8.72bil.
Malaysia’s primary exports to Russia include electrical and electronic products, machinery, equipment and parts, and processed food, while its principal imports consisted of petroleum products, minerals, chemicals as well as chemical-based products.
