Putin Meets Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim for One-on-One Talks at Kremlin
Reflecto News | Breaking News | Asia-Pacific & Geopolitics
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin held a one-on-one meeting with Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim at the Kremlin on Saturday, May 9, 2026, following the monarch’s historic attendance at the 81st anniversary of Victory Day in Moscow as a Guest of Honour .
The private conversation, which the Malaysian king himself requested, took place after the annual military parade on Red Square and marked the second meeting between the two leaders in just over three months . They previously met in St. Petersburg on January 26, 2026, when Putin showed the Malaysian ruler the treasures of the Hermitage Museum .
👑 A Historic First: Guest of Honour at Victory Day
Sultan Ibrahim made history by becoming the first Malaysian head of state to be invited as a Guest of Honour to the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, according to the official Facebook page of the King . The invitation from President Putin reflects “the highest recognition by the Russian government toward Malaysia and the excellent relations between the two nations” .
At the Red Square parade, Sultan Ibrahim witnessed the military procession alongside Putin and other world leaders, including President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, and Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia .
🤝 ‘A Second Home’: Sultan Ibrahim’s Warm Words
During the Kremlin talks, Sultan Ibrahim expressed deep affection for Russia, referring to it as his “second home.”
“Let me express my sincere gratitude for your kind invitation to Moscow to take part in the Victory Day anniversary Parade and celebrations. It is always a great pleasure for me to return to Russia, it is like my second home.”
— Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia
In a notable display of personal rapport, the Malaysian king addressed Putin as “my brother” as he concluded his speech, inviting the Russian leader for a state visit to Malaysia in 2027 . Putin responded in English, “Thank you so much,” shaking hands with the Malaysian head of state .
📈 Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Putin acknowledged the positive trajectory of Russia-Malaysia relations, noting that “relations between our countries are progressing well” . He emphasized that trade and economic ties continue to develop, and there are “all the necessary prerequisites” to reverse the slight decline in bilateral trade turnover in the near future .
Key Areas of Cooperation Discussed:
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| International Cooperation | Active collaboration at the UN, ASEAN, and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation |
| Trade | Russia exports oil, petroleum products, chemicals, metals, and food to Malaysia; imports machinery, equipment, and vehicles |
| Education | 566 Malaysian students currently studying in Russia; over the past decade, Russian universities have trained around 7,000 specialists from Malaysia |
| Tourism | Approximately 140,000 Russian tourists visited Malaysia in 2025 |
| Diplomatic Milestone | 2027 will mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries |
| Military-Technical Cooperation | Sultan Ibrahim witnessed an aerial demonstration of the Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet during his visit |
🛡️ A ‘Reliable Partner’ in the Asia-Pacific
Ahead of the meeting, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described Malaysia as a “reliable partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region,” noting that the two countries maintain “regular and substantive political dialogue” through parliaments, ministries, regions, and public organizations .
Ushakov also highlighted that relations between Russia and Malaysia are “developing well,” with stable trade and economic ties and an established intergovernmental commission .
✈️ Sukhoi Su-57E Aerial Demonstration
Prior to the Victory Day parade, Sultan Ibrahim attended an aerial demonstration of the Sukhoi Su-57E, a fifth-generation multi-role fighter jet, at Zhukovsky International Airport in Moscow . The nearly seven-minute flight was piloted by Sergei Bogdan, a renowned Russian test pilot and “Hero of Russia” recipient .
The king was given a briefing on the fighter jet and inspected the interior of the Su-57E following the aerial display . He was accompanied by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Malaysian Ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai .
🗓️ Looking Ahead: Putin’s Potential Visit in 2027
Sultan Ibrahim extended a formal invitation to President Putin to make a state visit to Malaysia in 2027, which will mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries . The invitation reflects Malaysia’s interest in deepening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.
Malaysia also remains a popular destination for Russian tourists, with about 140,000 Russian visitors in 2025 .
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
- Historic Visit: Sultan Ibrahim is the first Malaysian head of state invited as Guest of Honour to Victory Day in Moscow
- One-on-One Talks: The Malaysian king requested a private meeting with Putin, reflecting the importance of bilateral relations
- Warm Personal Rapport: Sultan Ibrahim called Russia his “second home” and addressed Putin as “brother”
- Invitation Extended: The King invited Putin for a state visit to Malaysia in 2027 to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties
- Defense Interest: Sultan Ibrahim witnessed a Sukhoi Su-57E aerial demonstration, highlighting military-technical cooperation
- Economic Partnership: Trade and investment ties continue to develop, with both leaders committed to strengthening economic cooperation
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