PETALING JAYA — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged for longstanding Malaysia-Russia diplomatic ties to be transformed into actionable outcomes, emphasizing that it is time to move beyond agreements and into implementation.
Speaking during his official visit to Moscow, Anwar referred to Russia as “a great friend of Malaysia” and highlighted the relationship that dates back to 1967. In his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, Anwar stressed the need for collaboration in key sectors such as food technology, digital innovation, nuclear energy, and defense.
“We have had extensive discussions and signed numerous memorandums. Now, it is crucial to translate these into tangible results,” Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama.
He expressed gratitude to Putin for the opportunity to exchange views and strategize on enhancing bilateral ties. “Russia is a major global player, and we are truly appreciative of this engagement,” Anwar added, noting that the conversations were in-depth and promising.
The four-day visit includes follow-up meetings with Russian officials and industry leaders, with a subsequent stop in Kazan, Tatarstan, scheduled for May 15.
Meanwhile, Russian news outlets Sputnik and RIA Novosti reported that President Putin described Malaysia as a dependable and important partner. Although bilateral trade saw a slight decline last year, Putin remained optimistic about the relationship’s future growth.
He called on the Intergovernmental Commission to address the downturn and work towards restoring an upward trend in trade. Putin also expressed confidence that Malaysia’s leadership as ASEAN chair could help boost Russia’s engagement with the regional bloc.
“With Malaysia’s support, we hope to strengthen our ties with ASEAN, just as we continue to advance our bilateral relations,” he said.