Russia: Vladivostok Eastern Economic Forum

For Russian President Vladimir Putin, Wednesday, September 4, was a day devoted to meetings and talks with foreign leaders. Putin arrived in Vladivostok on the Pacific Ocean in the morning after a summit in Ulaanbaatar with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to attend the 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF ) on September 4-5.

Before meeting with some foreign leaders, the Russian president toured the site for a new shipyard on Russky Island, where various types of vessels will be built for the country’s merchant fleet. The Russian head of state was accompanied by Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of industry, Andrey Kostin, President of VTB State Bank, Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai, and Andrei Puchkov, CEO of OSK Shipbuilding Corporation.

After returning to Vladivostok from Russky Island, Putin received Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin for talks and complained to him about a “certain decline” in trade between Russia and Serbia. “As for trade and economic ties between our two countries, I, unfortunately, have to note the decline in our trade,” emphasized Putin, according to whom Russia and Serbia should hold a meeting of the Serbian-Russian intergovernmental commission to assess the reasons for the decline in trade between the two countries. “The time has come for the intergovernmental commission to meet in order to observe and remove the obstacles that arise in this area. Besides, we have many interesting areas of cooperation in the field of industry, transportation, industrial cooperation,” the Russian President said, suggesting Vulin to evaluate the possibilities of establishing cooperation between companies from Serbia and partners from the Russian Far East.

In addition, Putin and Vulin discussed the current situation and the future of Russian natural gas supplies to Serbia. The methane transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expires at the end of 2024, and Kiev has said it does not plan to extend the agreement. One of the possibilities both for Serbia and other Balkan countries in this situation is to connect to the new gas pipeline being built by Russia and Turkey to the territory of Bulgaria.

After talks with Serbia’s deputy prime minister, again on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, Putin met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. “Relations between Russia and China have developed to an unprecedented level, the countries pay great attention to inter-regional cooperation,” the Russian president emphasized, welcoming the Chinese vice president. “I hope that in the course of today’s meetings and tomorrow’s joint work at the Eastern Economic Forum, we will be able to seek and find new areas of our cooperation,” Putin said, adding that he was happy to see the Chinese delegation in Vladivostok.

“Russia hopes that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the BRICS summit to be held in Kazan on October 22-24,” Putin stressed, suggesting that “a separate bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping should be held on the sidelines of the upcoming BRICS summit.”

Finally, Putin met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who reiterated his country’s firm intention to join the BRICS group as soon as possible. Putin thanked Anwar for this “worthy initiative,” but emphasized that decisions on recruiting new member countries to BRICS are made jointly by all member countries. In early 2024, five new countries joined BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa): Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The two leaders also discussed various sectors of bilateral cooperation ranging from aerospace to advanced technology, agriculture, food security, trade, and investment. “There is no doubt that my visit to Russia will bring maximum benefits to Malaysia, especially by strengthening cooperation and ties with Russia,” Anwar said after his summit with Putin. The Malaysian Prime Minister will speak at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, September 5.