Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is on a four-day official visit to Russia starting today as an effort to strengthen good relations between the two countries.
The visit to Russia aims to strengthen Malaysia's neutral foreign policy across the Global South including the continents of Africa, Latin America, Oceania and Asia.
In addition, this visit is considered important in positioning Malaysia as a key partner in line with Russia's extensive involvement in the Islamic world.
The official trip will be the Prime Minister's second visit to the country in eight months at the honorable invitation of President Vladimir Putin.
The last time Anwar visited Russia was in September last year to attend the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok to voice support for multipolar cooperation.
Anwar is expected to arrive at Vnukovo International Airport, Moscow at around 6pm Malaysian time.
Anwar's arrival was welcomed by Malaysian Ambassador to Russia, Datuk Cheong Loon Lai, Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Russian Ambassador to Malaysia, Nail Latypov and Russian Deputy Minister, Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich.
Tonight, Anwar is scheduled to hold a dinner with about 100 Malaysians including students in Russia.
Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will attend a session with key Russian figures at the Metropol Hotel, Moscow.
Next, Anwar will also meet his counterpart, Mikhail Mishustin, at the official government building of the Russian Federation.
The Malaysian delegation also held a meeting with Putin at the Kremlin with the focus of discussions covering education, technology, trade and expanding cooperation with the Islamic world.
On Thursday, Anwar will deliver a public speech at the Moscow State Institute to strengthen long-term educational ties between the two countries.
The agreement was made as thousands of Malaysians have successfully pursued their studies at Russian universities, especially in the fields of engineering and medicine.
Anwar will travel to Kazan, Tatarstan to meet with the head of the regional republic and visit the Halal Expo and the Kazan High-Tech Park.
He will also attend the Strategic Vision Group: Russian-Islamic World Dialogue and discuss his speech at the XVI International Economic Forum, Russian-Islamic World: KazanForum 2025.
Malaysia and Russia's total trade is expected to reach RM14.22 billion in 2023, covering electrical machinery, rubber products and ball bearing components, while Russia's main exports to Malaysia include coal, potash fertilizers and refined petroleum.
