Quaere similia

🇷🇺The State Protocol Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry: From April 16 to 19, at the invitation of Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the Region received a delegation of heads of foreign diplomatic missions on a working visit. Organised with the assistance of the State Protocol Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the visit brought together ambassadors and senior diplomats from Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. On April 17, the distinguished foreign guests were received by Rustam Minnikhanov at the Kazan Kremlin. The Head of Tatarstan noted that international cooperation remains an important factor in ensuring sustainable development. Rustam Minnikhanov underscored the Region’s openness to foreign investment and the expansion of external economic ties, including in such priority sectors for Tatarstan as mechanical engineering, oil refining, petrochemicals, IT, agriculture and others. The Sides discussed prospects for deepening Tatarstan’s cooperation with China and #ASEAN countries in tourism, humanitarian affairs, culture and education. As part of the visit’s substantial business programme, the delegation took part in a round table at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tatarstan with business representatives, and held meetings at the Investment Development Agency, Innopolis and Tatarstan's IT Park. The diplomats also visited the eastern part of the Republic, where they learned about the operations of the KAMAZ automobile plant in Naberezhnye Chelny and the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, whose multi-level technical personnel training system made a particular impression on the guests. In addition, the ambassadors held an informal meeting with the leadership and students of Kazan Federal University – one of the oldest universities in Russia – where a significant number of international students study, including from the Asia-Pacific Region. Prospects for humanitarian, cultural and sports exchanges were also discussed during visits to the new building of the Galiaskar Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre and Ak Bars Arena stadium. Following the business trip, the heads of foreign diplomatic missions highlighted Tatarstan's innovative development model, its active external economic engagement and the broad opportunities for further cooperation, while also expressing gratitude for the warm welcome. 🤝 The visit confirmed the steady interest of Southeast Asian countries and China in Tatarstan – Russia's Region with strong economic and educational potential, capable of serving as an effective platform for developing practical international cooperation.

🗓 On March 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a traditionalmeeting with the ambassadors of #ASEAN member states accredited in Moscow. In the context of the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations that this year marks, the sides engaged in a substantive discussion on advancing #RussiaASEANstrategic partnership across a wide range of areas, including countering common challenges and threats, trade and investment, high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries, digitalisation, energy, and the expansion of business and youth contacts. The main focus was on putting together anniversary events and agreeing upon a new medium-term policy document. A thorough exchange of views on international and regional priorities reinforced the importance of Russia-ASEAN dialogue for building stable security and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific region based on respect for international law, equality, and openness. Prospects for aligning integration processes in Eurasia, strengthening ASEAN-EAEU and ASEAN-SCO cooperation, as well as establishing contacts on the ASEAN-BRICS track, were highlighted. 🤝 The meeting was held in a traditionally friendly atmosphere.

🗓 The 24th Meeting of the ASEAN-Russia Joint Cooperation Committee(#ARJCC) took place in Jakarta on 1 April 2026 and was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Evgeny Zagaynov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to ASEAN 🇷🇺 and H.E. Ambassador Aung Myo Myint, the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to ASEAN 🇲🇲. 🔹️Permanent representatives of #ASEAN Member States to ASEAN, their respective delegations as well as representatives of Russian Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Ministry of Finance, State Atomic Agency “Rosatom”, Russia-ASEAN Business Council, World Youth Festival Directorate, ROSCONGRESS Foundation and ASEAN Centre in MGIMO University thoroughly discussed ASEAN-Russia cooperation across all ASEAN pillars. 🔹️The meeting exchanged views on key developments in the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership in light of the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations. Participants discussed ways to further deepen multifaceted cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including energy security, biosafety and biosecurity, smart cities, the digital economy and AI, science, technology and innovation, education, tourism, people-to-people and youth exchanges, as well as business ties. The participants also addressed ways to further strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and the EAEU. 🔹️The Meeting appreciated activities of the ASEAN Center in MGIMO University. ASEAN also positively noted the MGIMO’s Master’s Programme for ASEAN students launched in 2023. @aseancentremgimo

🎙Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a joint press conference with CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev following the meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers(April 17, 2026, Moscow) 💬Sergey Lavrov: Today's meeting was held in the traditionally warm and friendly atmosphere. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues for a substantive, frank and focused exchange of views. We noted with satisfaction that the Plan of Inter-MFA Consultations within the CIS was successfully implemented in 2025. This remains a traditional instrument for coordinating our foreign policy activities. This work will continue in 2026 as well. We discussed current international issues. Naturally, particular attention was paid to various aspects of the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf, triggered by the military aggression of the US and Israel against Iran. The seven CIS foreign Ministers adopteda special statement on this matter, which will be circulated. It was noted that the crisis created in the Persian Gulf, which has, de facto, engulfed the entire Middle East, is fundamentally reshaping broader trends across the Eurasian continent, including with regard to approaches to ensuring the security of countries in various Eurasian subregions and, of course, to the reliability and security of routes for the delivery of energy supplies, food and fertilisers. All of this will have to be rethought as we continue to develop our common concept for advancing the Greater Eurasian Partnership with the participation of the #CIS, the #SCO, #ASEAN and other integration associations. In the context of shaping our shared approach, together with our Belarusian friends we have begun promoting this idea – a concept for building a security architecture across the Eurasian continent. It is clear that many countries across Eurasia are now reassessing and rethinking the arrangements on which their economic interests, development prospects and security interests have long rested. I would like highlight the task of stepping up efforts to consolidate our work in the interests of the sustainable development of all CIS countries, safeguarding their interests, their security interests and, more broadly, their foreign policy interests on the international stage. ☝️We also agreed – and I consider this especially important – to continue working to preserve the historical truth about the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War, and to devote special attention to educating young people in the CIS countries in a spirit of respect for the great collective feat accomplished by all the peoples of the USSR. Read full

🇷🇺🇻🇳 On February 24, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Lê Hoài Trung, who was visiting Russia as Special Envoy of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam. In a traditionally friendly atmosphere, the Sides discussed steps to further deepen Russia-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership, including forthcoming contacts at various levels, cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries, and current international agenda issues. *** 🎙Opening remarks by Sergey Lavrov during his talks with Lê Hoài Trung (Moscow, 24 February 2026) 💬Sergey Lavrov: Russia-Vietnam maintain intensive, truly fraternal and strategic relations, which are rooted in the shared history of struggle for justice, independence, and the free choice of our people. In addition to the bilateral matters on our current agenda, which you have already discussed during your previous meetings, I hope that today we will devote particular attention to foreign policy coordination. In May 2025, during the visit of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Comrade To Lam to participate in the celebrations marking the anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, our leaders signed a Plan of Consultations between the two Foreign Ministries for 2025-2026. It is being actively implemented. Half a dozen specialized consultations have already taken place, including at Deputy Minister level. Additional consultations are scheduled for March 2026. Today provides a good opportunity for us toexchange views on global developments and on prospects for our cooperation within the #UN, which is also going through a crisis. Of course, we would greatly value yourassessment of developments in Southeast Asia, primarily within #ASEAN, of which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is one of the leading members. 🤝Allow me to also, as President Vladimir Putin did, congratulate you and all our Vietnamese friends on the Lunar New Year – the Tết holiday. I wish you good health, success and new achievements for the benefit of the Vietnamese people. #RussiaVietnam

🇷🇺🇲🇾President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Supreme Ruler of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, who arrived in Moscow to take part in the celebrations marking the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War(May 9, 2026) 💬Vladimir Putin: Allow me to warmly welcome you once again – this time to Moscow. Last time, you and I met in St Petersburg. I would like to thank you for finding the opportunity and the time to come to Russia and join us in celebrating Victory Day – a day we hold very dear. On this day, we remember the sacrifices made by our country, and by all humanity, in the struggle against Nazism. Relations between our countries are developing well. Next year, we will mark the anniversary of our diplomatic relations, and much has been accomplished by both Sides over this period. Trade and economic ties are developing. We note that there has been a certain adjustment – a slight decline in volumes – but I believe that, overall, we will certainly be able to overcome this trend in the very near future. All the prerequisites for this are in place. We actively cooperate on the international stage, in various international organisations, including the #UN, #ASEAN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. As for ASEAN, Malaysia chaired the organisation last year. We hold regular events, take part in these events, and are marking the 35th anniversary of the Organisation. We agreed on corresponding joint steps in this area in Kazan. 🤝 I would like to thank you once again for joining us in expressing the hope that relations between our states will continue to develop as steadily as they have to date. At the intergovernmental level, we maintain very close ties. I am confident – that this will remain the case in the future. #RussiaMalaysia

🇷🇺🇨🇳 On January 23, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenkoheld consultations in Beijing with China's Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong on cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region (#APR). The Sides highly assessed Russia-China foreign policy coordination in the #APR amid rapidly changing global developments and spoke in favour of further stepping up efforts toward strategic interaction in line with the agreements reached by the leaders of Russia and China. The Deputy Foreign Ministers expressed readiness to expand cooperation within #ASEAN and its mechanisms with a view to containing emerging security challenges in the region against the backdrop of the proliferation of selective military-political quasi-alliances. Russia and China stand in solidarity against the actions and plans of the “collective West” aimed at militarizing the Asia-Pacific, imposing Indo-Pacific strategies on the region, including attempts to deploy military infrastructure there based on NATO standards. The Sides also held in-depth discussions on various aspects of bilateral interaction in connection with developments in Myanmar, Afghanistan, on the Korean Peninsula and in North-East Asia as a whole. The talks were held in the traditionally friendly and trusting atmosphere inherent in Russia-China relations. #RussiaChina

🗓On April 21, Kazan hosted a meeting of senior officials of Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (#ASEAN) at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers. The Russian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. The event was held under the banner of the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations, which is being marked in 2026. The Sides held a detailed discussion on advancing the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres. Concrete steps were outlined for the further development and diversification of practical cooperation, with an emphasis on launching new joint mechanisms and projects. The Sides also reviewed progress in implementing the 2021-2025 Comprehensive Plan of Action #RussiaASEAN and preparations for a new medium-term programme document. The exchange of views on international and regional issues confirmed the commitment of Russia and ASEAN to strengthening the security architecture in Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific on the basis of openness, equality and respect for international law. The Sides also reaffirmed their readiness to expand cooperation in multilateral formats and to promote closer practical ties between #ASEAN, the #EAEU and the #SCO. #RussiaASEAN

🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview to the TV BRICS international media network (Moscow, February 9, 2026) Read in full Key talking points • The global arena is undergoing a transformation that began some time ago with the objective transition toward a multipolar world order. This is neither the bipolarity of the Soviet-American era with the Warsaw Pact and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, nor the unipolarity that emerged after the Soviet Union’s collapse. <...> Multiple centres of rapid economic growth, power, and financial and political influence have thus emerged. • It is equally important that we develop action plans tailored for each partner country covering trade and economic cooperation, investment, scientific collaboration, and coordinated activity on the international stage, including at the United Nations and other organisations, based on agreements reached between presidents and prime ministers. Particular attention is devoted to #CIS, #EAEU, #CSTO, and the post-Soviet space at large. This day-to-day work relies on long-term planning and delivers tangible mutual benefits to both Russia and its partners. • Multiple centres of rapid economic growth, power, and financial and political influence have thus emerged. The world is being reshaped through competition. The West is reluctant to relinquish its formerly dominant positions. • Safeguarding security demands sustained action to ensure that the Nazi state established on our borders in Ukraine – and supported by the West as a vehicle for renewed confrontation – cannot continue to exist in its present form. Nazi foundations must be eliminated. We will ensure, and I have no doubt about it, our own security interests, by preventing the deployment on Ukrainian territory of any weapons threatening us, and, second, by guaranteeing reliable and full protection for the rights of Russian and Russian-speaking people, who have been living in Crimea, Donbass and Novorossiya for centuries, and whom the Kiev regime that came to power after a coup declared subhuman “species” and “terrorists” and unleashed a civil war against. • Russia chaired#BRICS in 2024. At that time, a summit was held in Kazan, and a number of our initiatives were put into action: alternative payment platforms, payment mechanisms in national currencies, the creation of reinsurance opportunities for trade within BRICS and between the association and its partners, the creation of a grain exchange, and a new investment platform. All this is not to spite anyone, especially the United States. This is due to the fact that the United States seeks to bring all processes in the areas I mentioned under its strict control and demands unilateral concessions. Without giving up contacts with them, to the extent that they are willing to engage on a mutually beneficial basis, we are interested, together with our BRICS partners, in creating an architecture that will not be subject to the illegal actions of one or another player from the Western flank. • The Greater Eurasian Partnership was bound to appear on the agenda. Many years ago, at the 2015 Russia – #ASEAN Summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested this term which is based on an objective trend of Eurasia becoming the biggest, richest and fastest-growing continent, especially its Pacific part. It is the most heavily-populated continent which, importantly, has seen several great civilisations emerge and continue to exist – the Chinese, Indian, Arab, Persian and Russian civilisations. ☝️ It is for a reason that our initiative on building a common Eurasian security architecture, set forward by President Putin in 2024, is gaining momentum. It is increasingly attracting interest.

🎙 Russia's Ambassador to Thailand Evgeny Tomikhin’s interview with RT(February 2, 2026) Read in full Key talking points: #BRICS 💬 Thailand has become a participant in BRICS events almost 10 years ago, since 2017, as an informal participant. <...> After the expansion of BRICS in 2024, when Russia was the Chair, and in 2025, when Indonesia joined BRICS as a full member, there is a new category — partner states, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. We see that there is a strong interest from ASEAN members to have much closer exchange, contacts, and cooperation with BRICS. Hopefully, we will see more active participation and engagement of Thailand in BRICS events. <...> I am sure that the Thai friends have decided that it might be interesting for them for the future development of the Kingdom. #RussiaASEAN 💬 Southeast Asia countries, as the #ASEAN group <...> all of them are very good friends, historically, of our country, and this year we will celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the establishment of formal relations between the Russian Federation and ASEAN. Through this long period of time, we had accumulated a lot of experience, useful things. <...> We hope that our relations between Russia and ASEAN countries will develop smoothly, as before. We recognize the ASEAN centrality principle, which is one of the core elements of regional security and stability. #Thailand#Cambodia 💬 Russian representatives, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made many comments about the situation. I would like to reconfirm that Thailand, as well as Cambodia, are our good, long-time friends. Historically, we have very positive relations, so we are interested that two neighboring countries will settle down their problems peacefully through bilateral channels. <...> We really hope that the two countries will find an appropriate solution on how to resolve all the historical so-called "heritage" from the colonial times, because one of the problems is the borderline. In many places in the world during the colonial time, colonial superpowers just drew borders on the map, sometimes without any base or just the landscape situation taken into account. We hope that Thailand and Cambodia will coexist peacefully, and we will have friendly relations with both countries as before. 👉Read in full about #RussiaThailand relations