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Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
N. Korea to send 6,000 military builders, sappers to Kursk region
North Korea will send 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to Russia's Kursk region, Russian media reports said Tuesday, while Moscow's security chief visited Pyongyang for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The announcement came as Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited the North Korean capital on a special mission from Russian President Vladimir Putin and held talks with Kim earlier in the day, as the two countries prepare to mark the first anniversary of their mutual defense treaty. "Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un has decided to send 1,000 sappers to Russia to clear mines on Russian territory, as well as 5,000 military construction workers to restore infrastructure destroyed by the occupiers," Tass quoted Shoigu as saying, referring to the North by the acronym of its official name. It marks Shoigu's second visit to North Korea this month, following his previous trip in early June, during which he also met with Kim and discussed security issues involving the Korean Peninsula. Tass quoted the Russian Security Council as saying that Shoigu's meeting with Kim is part of the agreements reached during his previous visit to North Korea on June 4, adding that it is a follow-up to the mutual defense agreement signed last year between North Korea and Russia. Shoigu's back-to-back visit to North Korea comes as Pyongyang and Moscow mark the first anniversary of the signing of the treaty on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June last year in Pyongyang by Kim and Putin, which resulted in North Korea's deployment of troops on the Russian side in the war against Ukraine. North Korea is estimated to have sent 3,000 more soldiers to the Kursk region this year after deploying some 11,000 troops to Russia last year in support of its war against Ukraine, according to South Korea's military. The approach of the June 19 anniversary has fueled speculation that Kim may visit Russia for a summit with Putin, although no signs of his immediate trip have been reported. Russia's annual Eastern Economic Forum, scheduled for September in Vladivostok near the border with North Korea, has been speculated as a possible occasion for Kim's trip to Russia and a summit with Putin. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
N. Korea's Kim holds talks with Russia's security chief in Pyongyang: report
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held talks with Russia's Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang on Tuesday, Russian news agency Tass reported, as the two countries prepare to mark the first anniversary of their mutual defense treaty. Kim and Shoigu began their talks in the North Korean capital, the Russian news agency said, citing the press service of the Russian Security Council, shortly after reporting on Shoigu's arrival in Pyongyang. Shoigu is visiting North Korea on a special mission from Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Russian media It marks Shoigu's second visit to North Korea this month, following his previous trip in early June, during which he also met with Kim and discussed security issues involving the Korean Peninsula. Tass quoted the Russian Security Council as saying that Shoigu's meeting with Kim is part of the agreements reached during his previous visit to North Korea on June 4, adding that it is a follow-up to the mutual defense agreement signed last year between North Korea and Russia. Shoigu's back-to-back visit to North Korea comes as Pyongyang and Moscow mark the first anniversary of the signing of the treaty on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June last year in Pyongyang by Kim and Putin, which resulted in North Korea's deployment of troops on the Russian side in the war against Ukraine. The approach of the June 19 anniversary has fueled speculation that Kim may visit Russia for a summit with Putin, although no signs of his immediate trip have been reported. Russia's annual Eastern Economic Forum, scheduled for September in Vladivostok near the border with North Korea, has been speculated as a possible occasion for Kim's trip to Russia and a summit with Putin. (Yonhap)
Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
China's vice president visits Spain as mutual courtship blossoms
FILE PHOTO: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attends a plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia September 5, 2024. Kirill Kazachkov/Roscongress Foundation via REUTERS/File Photo MADRID - China's Vice President Han Zheng arrived in Spain on Tuesday for a four-day trip during which he will meet with King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a further sign of increasingly close economic and political ties. Han's visit is taking place two months after Sanchez visited Beijing for the third time in as many years. There, he sought to woo China's President Xi Jinping as global trade reels from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs policy. The Socialist premier has been vying to position Madrid as an interlocutor between China and the European Union, as well as to attract more Chinese investment in advanced technology such as batteries, electric vehicles and hydrogen. Last year, auto maker Stellantis and Chinese battery maker CATL announced plans to build one of Europe's largest EV battery factories in Spain. However, not all is idyllic in Spain's relations with China. Beijing's anti-dumping inquiry into EU pork launched last year in retaliation for Brussels' tariffs on Chinese EVs hit Spain, a top exporter, hard. Sanchez's last visit to China, however, clinched expanded access for Spanish exports of pork stomach - a product widely consumed in China but not previously authorised. Han will meet with Sanchez on Wednesday morning in Madrid, Sanchez's office said, while King Felipe will receive the Chinese official on Thursday, according to the royal household's agenda. The Spanish monarch is also scheduled to visit China later this year to commemorate the signing of a strategic partnership 20 years ago. After his meetings with Sanchez and Spain's king, Han is set to travel to Seville to meet Andalusia's regional leader, Juan Manuel Moreno, who last year secured over 2.5 billion euros ($2.86 billion) of Chinese investments in the southern Spanish region. According to projections by tourism lobby Turespana, the number of visitors to Spain from China is expected to surge by 36% this summer compared to last year, making Spain the European destination with the biggest growth in tourists from the Asian nation. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Bridging East and West: PM Anwar's pragmatic push in Putin's Russia
Anwar shakes hands with Putin during their bilateral meeting in Moscow, Russia on May 14, 2025. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (May 18): The office of the Russian news agency, TASS, is located at the intersection of Tverskoy Boulevard and Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street in downtown Moscow, a location that no one can miss. I had the privilege of being invited to lunch by its director-general, Andrey Kondrashov, in a spacious room overlooking the beautiful Presnensky district. Kondrashov, a former TV newscaster, is reportedly said to have been handpicked by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the powerful job. The media in Moscow claims he has direct access to the nation's most powerful figure, but he downplays such talk, saying he has 'only managed to interview Putin several times.' We were joined by Mikhail Gusman, TASS' first deputy director-general, who has interviewed a long list of world leaders, including several American presidents at the Oval Office. I asked both men what their impressions of Putin were and how they expected the relationship with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to develop, a day before their meeting at the Kremlin. Kondrashov said that despite Putin's reputation as a stoic and serious leader, he actually has a strong sense of humour and enjoys reading history and literature, 'just like Prime Minister Anwar.' Indeed, the meeting between Putin and Anwar went off extremely well, beginning with light-hearted humour to set the tone. During a private tour of the Grand St Andrew's Hall, Putin showed Anwar three thrones. He explained that one was for the Tsar, the second for the Tsarina and then asked Anwar who the third was for. Putin then recounted that Anwar had responded by saying the third one was for his second wife. Both laughed heartily when Putin said that it was actually meant for the Tsar's mother. Anwar quickly added: 'I maintain—I have one wife. I don't encourage people to have too many wives as it is tough enough to control and discipline one wife. Don't tell my wife that, please.' The Prime Minister then shared his conversation while the two leaders were on their way to the press conference. Putin had whispered, 'Can I tell this story?' To which, the Prime Minister asked, 'What story? About the wife?' 'This was President Putin, whom I'd always seen as stern and serious. So I said: Of course, Mr President. I wasn't sure, though, how he would tell the story. Although Anwar's reply drew mixed reactions, it was clearly a moment of spontaneous humour. There is no need to make too much of this. Anwar's four-day trip was the first official visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister to Russia in 20 years and certainly highly significant in both bilateral and historical terms. This was Anwar's second visit to Russia, following his working trip to the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in 2024, also at Putin's invitation. The current visit builds on that foundation. As Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies, wrote in the New Straits Times in 2024, the Prime Minister has a clear purpose: advancing Malaysia's interests by strengthening ties with Russia. That policy remains in place today. 'His grand strategy was to broaden Malaysia's geo-economic space while diversifying its global partnerships,' Dr Mohd Faiz noted. Malaysia must expand its markets, and it understands the sensitivities of engaging with Russia amid today's geopolitical climate. Simply put, the Prime Minister conceded in this 2024 visit that it 'was not an easy feat' but it was undeniably 'the right move'. Malaysia also recognises the growing importance of BRICS, which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. The partner countries include Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Bolivia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Uganda and Nigeria. Dr Mohd Faiz noted that 'while BRICS may still be in its formative years compared to more established international organisations, its potential shouldn't be underestimated.' 'By engaging early, Malaysia could secure its position as a key player in this growing network. 'Beyond BRICS, Anwar sought to elevate Malaysia-Russia economic ties. For all the efforts of previous administrations, Malaysia's trade relations with Russia have remained underdeveloped relative to some of its ASEAN neighbours. ' 'In 2022-2023, Malaysia's trade with Russia increased by 15.6 per cent to RM14.22 billion, yet this is lower in comparison to the volumes of nations like Vietnam, which benefits from a free trade agreement with Russia via the Eurasian Economic Union,' Dr Mohd Faiz wrote. Dr Mohd Faiz also opined that Russia's pivot toward Asia, accelerated by Western sanctions and the decline in European trade, presents a timely opportunity for Malaysia. 'It needs to be noted that Russia's shifting focus towards Asia, accelerated by sanctions and the decline of its European trade, presents a timely opportunity for Malaysia,' he wrote. Dr Mohd Faiz said in 2023, Russia's trade with Asia surged dramatically, with its exports and imports rising by 72 per cent and 68 per cent, respectively. This pivot toward the East offers Malaysia a chance to capitalise on the new trade flows, he added. He also noted that on the tourism front, Malaysia has yet to sufficiently capture the Russian market, which currently favours Thailand, Vietnam and even Indonesia. Interfax reported that just over 60,000 Russian tourists visited Malaysia in the first half of 2024, although the numbers are expected to grow. In contrast, during the first four months of 2025, Thailand welcomed 877,516 Russian tourists, making them the third-largest group of foreign visitors. Aviation-related obstacles and sanctions have made travel arrangements difficult, but Anwar and Putin discussed this issue at the highest levels. 'Malaysia is set to benefit from the high tourism potential from Russia through the Russian airline Aeroflot, which is expected to resume flights to Malaysia soon,' Anwar said when speaking to the Malaysian media. Surely, solutions can be found for AirAsia and Aeroflot to operate flights between the two countries. Attracting Russian tourists could significantly boost Malaysia's tourism sector and diversify its sources of travellers. There are also three strategic areas for future collaboration: Islamic finance, agriculture and education. Malaysia, as a global leader in Islamic finance, is well-positioned to assist Russia in developing Syariah-compliant financial systems, particularly given its large Muslim population, said Dr Mohd Faiz. Anwar also participated in the Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2025, where the halal market was a key topic in the oil-rich Republic of Tatarstan, under the Federation of Russia. In this respect, Anwar said that during his meeting with Putin, he openly expressed interest in expanding the halal network, as well as Islamic banking and finance. Certainly, the halal industry presents ample opportunities for joint initiatives and deeper cooperation. In agriculture, Russia's role as a major grain producer aligns with Malaysia's efforts to strengthen food security. In education, Russian expertise in technology presents wide-ranging opportunities, particularly through the newly established Russian-Malaysian High-Tech Centre. Anwar said that throughout the visit, he and his delegation met with 24 companies in Russia that expressed interest in expanding their businesses in Malaysia and also held two business events with companies wanting to learn more about trade aspects in the country. However, the visit coincided with the findings of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which concluded that Russia was responsible for downing Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. Anwar rightly addressed the matter with Putin, at the highest level. 'No country should be used to support the designs of others. We have to have the patience to deal with it. 'With President Putin, I even raised one very sensitive subject, the shooting down of MH17, the Malaysian plane, that caused 43 Malaysian deaths. 'I said how do I respond to this UN report and mind you, President Putin told me in very clear terms, we should get to the bottom of it. Any international effort to resolve this must be done professionally, scientifically. And of course, I would accept that. That is a precondition.'' Speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations University (MGIMO) — a renowned academic institution in Kazan — Anwar pointed out that history is not moved by perfection, but by perseverance and resilience. 'Leadership is the work of patient conviction to struggle forward when the path is uncertain, to act with courage when clarity is elusive, and to hold fast to hope when it feels most fragile. That is the task before us'. The reality, as the Prime Minister noted, is that Malaysia is a small country, and we must understand that political and economic realism will always underpin our strategies. We continue to maintain and emphasise our non-aligned position, while also expanding our markets in a rapidly evolving global economy. *Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, a veteran journalist, is the chairman of Bernama, the Malaysian National News Agency.
Barnama
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Bridging East And West: PM Anwar's Pragmatic Push In Putin's Russia
Kondrashov, a former TV newscaster, is reportedly said to have been handpicked by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the powerful job. I had the privilege of being invited to lunch by its director-general, Andrey Kondrashov, in a spacious room overlooking the beautiful Presnensky district. KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- The office of the Russian news agency, TASS, is located at the intersection of Tverskoy Boulevard and Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street in downtown Moscow, a location that no one can miss. I asked both men what their impressions of Putin were and how they expected the relationship with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to develop, a day before their meeting at the Kremlin. We were joined by Mikhail Gusman, TASS' first deputy director-general, who has interviewed a long list of world leaders, including several American presidents at the Oval Office. The media in Moscow claims he has direct access to the nation's most powerful figure, but he downplays such talk, saying he has 'only managed to interview Putin several times.' Kondrashov said that despite Putin's reputation as a stoic and serious leader, he actually has a strong sense of humour and enjoys reading history and literature, 'just like Prime Minister Anwar.' Indeed, the meeting between Putin and Anwar went off extremely well, beginning with light-hearted humour to set the tone. During a private tour of the Grand St Andrew's Hall, Putin showed Anwar three thrones. He explained that one was for the Tsar, the second for the Tsarina and then asked Anwar who the third was for. Putin then recounted that Anwar had responded by saying the third one was for his second wife. Both laughed heartily when Putin said that it was actually meant for the Tsar's mother. Anwar quickly added: 'I maintain—I have one wife. I don't encourage people to have too many wives as it is tough enough to control and discipline one wife. Don't tell my wife that, please.' The Prime Minister then shared his conversation while the two leaders were on their way to the press conference. Putin had whispered, 'Can I tell this story?' To which, the Prime Minister asked, 'What story? About the wife?' 'This was President Putin, whom I'd always seen as stern and serious. So I said: Of course, Mr President. I wasn't sure, though, how he would tell the story. Although Anwar's reply drew mixed reactions, it was clearly a moment of spontaneous humour. There is no need to make too much of this. Anwar's four-day trip was the first official visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister to Russia in 20 years and certainly highly significant in both bilateral and historical terms. This was Anwar's second visit to Russia, following his working trip to the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in 2024, also at Putin's invitation. The current visit builds on that foundation. As Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies, wrote in the New Straits Times in 2024, the Prime Minister has a clear purpose: advancing Malaysia's interests by strengthening ties with Russia. That policy remains in place today. 'His grand strategy was to broaden Malaysia's geo-economic space while diversifying its global partnerships,' Dr Mohd Faiz noted. Malaysia must expand its markets, and it understands the sensitivities of engaging with Russia amid today's geopolitical climate. Simply put, the Prime Minister conceded in this 2024 visit that it "was not an easy feat" but it was undeniably "the right move'. Malaysia also recognises the growing importance of BRICS, which now includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. The partner countries include Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Bolivia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Uganda and Nigeria. Dr Mohd Faiz noted that 'while BRICS may still be in its formative years compared to more established international organisations, its potential shouldn't be underestimated.' 'By engaging early, Malaysia could secure its position as a key player in this growing network. 'Beyond BRICS, Anwar sought to elevate Malaysia-Russia economic ties. For all the efforts of previous administrations, Malaysia's trade relations with Russia have remained underdeveloped relative to some of its ASEAN neighbours. ' 'In 2022-2023, Malaysia's trade with Russia increased by 15.6 per cent to RM14.22 billion, yet this is lower in comparison to the volumes of nations like Vietnam, which benefits from a free trade agreement with Russia via the Eurasian Economic Union,' Dr Mohd Faiz wrote. Dr Mohd Faiz also opined that Russia's pivot toward Asia, accelerated by Western sanctions and the decline in European trade, presents a timely opportunity for Malaysia. 'It needs to be noted that Russia's shifting focus towards Asia, accelerated by sanctions and the decline of its European trade, presents a timely opportunity for Malaysia,' he wrote. Dr Mohd Faiz said in 2023, Russia's trade with Asia surged dramatically, with its exports and imports rising by 72 per cent and 68 per cent, respectively. This pivot toward the East offers Malaysia a chance to capitalise on the new trade flows, he added. He also noted that on the tourism front, Malaysia has yet to sufficiently capture the Russian market, which currently favours Thailand, Vietnam and even Indonesia. Interfax reported that just over 60,000 Russian tourists visited Malaysia in the first half of 2024, although the numbers are expected to grow. In contrast, during the first four months of 2025, Thailand welcomed 877,516 Russian tourists, making them the third-largest group of foreign visitors. Aviation-related obstacles and sanctions have made travel arrangements difficult, but Anwar and Putin discussed this issue at the highest levels. 'Malaysia is set to benefit from the high tourism potential from Russia through the Russian airline Aeroflot, which is expected to resume flights to Malaysia soon,' Anwar said when speaking to the Malaysian media. Surely, solutions can be found for AirAsia and Aeroflot to operate flights between the two countries. Attracting Russian tourists could significantly boost Malaysia's tourism sector and diversify its sources of travellers. There are also three strategic areas for future collaboration: Islamic finance, agriculture and education. Malaysia, as a global leader in Islamic finance, is well-positioned to assist Russia in developing Syariah-compliant financial systems, particularly given its large Muslim population, said Dr Mohd Faiz. Anwar also participated in the Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2025, where the halal market was a key topic in the oil-rich Republic of Tatarstan, under the Federation of Russia. In this respect, Anwar said that during his meeting with Putin, he openly expressed interest in expanding the halal network, as well as Islamic banking and finance. Certainly, the halal industry presents ample opportunities for joint initiatives and deeper cooperation. In agriculture, Russia's role as a major grain producer aligns with Malaysia's efforts to strengthen food security. In education, Russian expertise in technology presents wide-ranging opportunities, particularly through the newly established Russian-Malaysian High-Tech Centre. Anwar said that throughout the visit, he and his delegation met with 24 companies in Russia that expressed interest in expanding their businesses in Malaysia and also held two business events with companies wanting to learn more about trade aspects in the country. However, the visit coincided with the findings of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which concluded that Russia was responsible for downing Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. Anwar rightly addressed the matter with Putin, at the highest level. 'No country should be used to support the designs of others. We have to have the patience to deal with it. 'With President Putin, I even raised one very sensitive subject, the shooting down of MH17, the Malaysian plane, that caused 43 Malaysian deaths. 'I said how do I respond to this UN report and mind you, President Putin told me in very clear terms, we should get to the bottom of it. Any international effort to resolve this must be done professionally, scientifically. And of course, I would accept that. That is a precondition.'' Speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations University (MGIMO) — a renowned academic institution in Kazan — Anwar pointed out that history is not moved by perfection, but by perseverance and resilience. 'Leadership is the work of patient conviction to struggle forward when the path is uncertain, to act with courage when clarity is elusive, and to hold fast to hope when it feels most fragile. That is the task before us'. The reality, as the Prime Minister noted, is that Malaysia is a small country, and we must understand that political and economic realism will always underpin our strategies. We continue to maintain and emphasise our non-aligned position, while also expanding our markets in a rapidly evolving global economy. -- BERNAMA *Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, a veteran journalist, is the chairman of Bernama, the Malaysian National News Agency. WCW AR MRZN BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
