Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hosted leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kazan, seeking to strengthen economic, trade and strategic cooperation with the regional bloc amid Moscow’s efforts to expand its partnerships in Asia.
The two-day summit, marking the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations, is focused on enhancing what Russian officials describe as a strategic partnership between Russia and the 11-member Southeast Asian grouping.
According to Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, discussions will cover trade, investment, industrial cooperation and key regional and global issues, while also reviewing progress in Russia-ASEAN relations.
In a message to participants at a business forum held alongside the summit, Putin expressed confidence that the gathering would create new opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial trade, investment and industrial cooperation, while fostering closer engagement between business communities.
Ushakov said Russia and ASEAN members would reaffirm their commitment to building what he described as a fair and democratic multipolar world order based on international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
He praised the relationship between Russia and ASEAN as a productive, equal and constructive dialogue and noted that Putin would hold a series of bilateral meetings with regional leaders during the summit.
The Russian president co-chaired the meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose country currently holds ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship.
During talks with Marcos, Putin highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Russia and the Philippines, describing it as mutually beneficial and based on respect for each other’s legitimate interests.
Marcos thanked Putin for hosting the summit and invited him to attend the ASEAN Summit scheduled to be held in Manila in November.
Putin also met Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on the sidelines of the gathering.
Addressing a formal reception later, Putin said Russia and ASEAN countries shared support for a just international order, sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs.
He emphasized that each nation follows its own development path without imposing its views on others, calling that diversity a source of strength.
Russia remains committed to expanding cooperation with ASEAN members in areas including security, economic development and regional stability, Putin said.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam.
While some ASEAN members maintain close ties with the United States, others have significant economic and security relations with China and Russia.
Several ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, have either imported Russian crude oil or shown interest in doing so following sharp increases in global energy prices linked to the conflict involving Iran.