Anwar Meets Putin & Gets Invited To Attend BRICS Summit
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is Malaysia's first prime minister to meet Vladimir Putin since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 05 Sep 2024, 01:29 PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was invited to attend the upcoming BRICS summit during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday, 4 September,
The invitation to the summit marks a significant step towards Malaysia's potential inclusion in the BRICS group of emerging economies, which currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Anwar's meeting with Putin was part of his two-day working visit to attend the 9th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia.
This is his first visit to Russia since assuming office in November 2022, and he is the first Malaysian prime minister to meet Putin since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
"The invitation, extended directly by president Putin himself during a protracted and substantive bilateral cum working dinner session, is a clear testament to the importance Russia places on Malaysia," Anwar said in a Facebook post.
He accepted the invitation to the summit, which will take place from 22 October to 24 October in Kazan, Russia.
Anwar and Putin met during a bilateral meeting yesterday, 4 September.
Image via Kristina Kormilitsyna/AFP via The Malaysian ReserveDuring their meeting, which extended into dinner, Anwar and Putin expressed a shared commitment to strengthening ties between Malaysia and Russia
"From Islamic finance to agriculture to education, the potential for Malaysia and Russia to leverage their expertise for the mutual benefit of their peoples is immense," said Anwar.
Anwar also addressed the conflict in Ukraine, expressing hope that Russia would pursue a peaceful and sustainable resolution.
Both leaders then discussed the war in Gaza, agreeing on the need for the international community to intensify efforts to end Israel's genocidal campaigns.
