Malaysia-Russia ties in focus as PM Anwar, Putin meet at Brics summit

On September 12, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and President Putin convened at the BRICS summit, providing a platform to bolster diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Russia. This marked Anwar's inaugural bilateral encounter during his tenure in Malaysia, serving as a BRICS partner nation since the beginning of 2025. The meeting highlighted the significance of consistent high-level communication between the two nations, especially as Malaysia strives to strengthen economic and strategic collaborations with prominent emerging economies.

Long-standing diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Russia, dating back to 1967, encompass diverse sectors such as trade, investment, energy, education, tourism, defense, and more. Both countries have expressed a keen interest in broadening bilateral economic collaboration and exploring novel areas of cooperation. The summit also coincided with Malaysia's ongoing advocacy for a more inclusive and equitable global order, as well as its pursuit of deeper engagement with the Global South through platforms like BRICS and other multilateral forums.

Anwar's bilateral meeting with Putin further solidified the dedication of both nations to constructive discourse, enhanced cooperation, and stronger interpersonal connections, all while aligning with Malaysia's overarching foreign policy and economic goals. In 2024, the combined trade between ASEAN and Russia reached US$18.1 billion, while Russian foreign direct investment in ASEAN amounted to RM367.90 million (US$92.97 million).

In 2025, Malaysia regarded Russia as its ninth-largest trading partner among European nations, with total trade valued at RM8.72 billion (US$2.04 billion). Malaysia's major exports to Russia included electrical and electronic products, machinery, equipment, and parts, along with processed food, whereas principal imports consisted of petroleum products, minerals, chemicals, and chemical-based products.