Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will participate in high-level meetings with Southeast Asian counterparts in Kuala Lumpur on July 10–11, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
Lavrov will join discussions held under various ASEAN formats, including the Russia–ASEAN dialogue, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on security. “These platforms will bring together top diplomats not only from ASEAN but also from leading Asian nations. Key global and regional developments — particularly in the Asia-Pacific — will be on the agenda,” said Zakharova.
She noted that given current global turbulence, participants should expect “challenging conversations around major geopolitical flashpoints.” Russia, she added, will voice its concerns over the growing militarization of the Asia-Pacific, the expansion of Western-aligned military alliances, and NATO’s increasing involvement in the region — all of which, in Moscow’s view, undermine the ASEAN-centered security architecture.
Expanding Cooperation
The meetings will also provide an opportunity to advance Russia–ASEAN cooperation across political, economic, and cultural dimensions. Zakharova emphasized that discussions will include strengthening ties between ASEAN and other regional bodies like the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which are seeing rising interest from Southeast Asia.
Russia also plans to reaffirm ASEAN’s central role in maintaining regional stability and inclusive development. “We aim to focus on preparing a new joint action plan for 2026–2030, with particular emphasis on high-tech sectors, smart cities, digitalization, and energy cooperation,” said the spokeswoman.
Zakharova mentioned that Russia is also proposing an East Asia Summit (EAS) leaders’ statement this year centered on enhancing social and cultural connectivity. At the ARF session, participants are expected to adopt a working program for the coming year, which will address cybersecurity, maritime threats, counterterrorism, and transnational crime — with particular focus on combating the criminal use of information and communications technologies.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN events, Lavrov is also scheduled to hold a series of bilateral talks with his counterparts from across Asia.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials