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Putin Hosts ASEAN Leaders in Kazan Amid G7 Summit Pressure
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Elections & Politics

Putin Hosts ASEAN Leaders in Kazan Amid G7 Summit Pressure

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin will host leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kazan for a summit aimed at strengthening ties with non-Western regions.
  • The meeting coincides with the G7 summit in France, where leaders are pressuring Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
  • Russia is reorienting its economy towards Asia amid Western sanctions, with ASEAN nations seeking to secure energy supplies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to host leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kazan, a city on the Volga River, for a two-day summit beginning Wednesday. This gathering aims to bolster Moscow's connections with regions beyond the West, as relations with Western countries have deteriorated due to Putin's war in Ukraine.

The summit in Tatarstan's capital, located approximately 700 kilometers east of Moscow, is taking place concurrently with the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France. G7 leaders are exerting pressure on Moscow to end its conflict in Ukraine.

Representatives from 11 ASEAN nations are expected in Kazan, with Thursday designated as the main summit day. The Kremlin stated the meeting marks the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN cooperation. While Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Singapore are sending their prime ministers, the Philippines will be represented by President Ferdinand Marcos. Myanmar, which has maintained close ties with Moscow since its 2021 coup, is also sending a delegation.

exchange views on global and regional issues

— MoscowThe Kremlin stated the leaders would exchange views on global and regional issues and new objectives for Russia-ASEAN relations.

ASEAN leaders plan to "exchange views on global and regional issues" and discuss new objectives for Russia-ASEAN relations in "security, trade, investment, and humanitarian cooperation," according to Moscow. Facing extensive Western sanctions, Russia has been redirecting its economy, particularly oil exports, towards Asia. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, for instance, aims to ensure continued Russian oil supplies to his country, as reported by the national news agency.

Meanwhile, the G7 summit in France is also addressing the Ukraine conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump, meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that Moscow should reach an agreement to cease the war. Trump also indicated that Washington might soon reinstate sanctions on Russian oil, noting that "we will be able to do that soon, because oil is now flowing" through the Strait of Hormuz due to an agreement with Iran. Washington had temporarily suspended sanctions on Russian oil cargoes already at sea, later extending this, causing concern among European allies.

we will be able to do that soon, because oil is now flowing

— Donald TrumpU.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington might soon reinstate sanctions on Russian oil, noting that 'we will be able to do that soon, because oil is now flowing' through the Strait of Hormuz.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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