PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will begin a four-day official visit to Russia tomorrow following an invitation from Russian president Vladimir Putin.
This will be Anwar’s second visit to Russia since assuming office in November 2022.
The foreign ministry said Anwar will meet Putin and Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin to take stock of bilateral relations and advance cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, agriculture and agri-commodities, education, aerospace and energy.
In a statement, Wisma Putra said the leaders will exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual importance, and explore avenues to further deepen Asean-Russia cooperation.
Anwar will also deliver a speech at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, hold meetings with Russian business leaders, and meet with the Malaysian diaspora in Moscow.
He is also set to deliver a keynote address during the plenary session of the 16th Kazan International Economic Forum (KazanForum) on Friday.
KazanForum is an international economic summit focused on strengthening ties between Russia and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.
During Anwar’s visit to Russia last September, Putin said there were numerous opportunities to expand trade between Russia and Malaysia – which currently stands at about US$3.5 billion annually.
Anwar’s visit to Russia this week comes amid fears of a global economic slowdown sparked by the sweeping tariffs announced by US president Donald Trump last month.
Last November, Anwar revealed that he had rejected a call by the top US diplomat to stop being friendly with Russia.
