Malaysia’s king to make historic Russia state visit at Putin’s invitation

Sultan Ibrahim’s six-day visit, a first for a Malaysian monarch, aims to bolster cooperation in trade, education and technology

Reading Time:1 minute

Malaysia’s king Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar is set to make a state visit to Russia from Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:07pm, 2 Aug 2025Updated: 1:03pm, 2 Aug 2025

Malaysia’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, will make the first state visit of a monarch from the country to Russia, in a trip at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin that runs from Tuesday to August 10, the palace said on Saturday.

“This visit also reflects the important role of the Malaysian monarchy in driving the nation’s diplomacy,” the palace said in a statement. The visit would strengthen ties and enhance cooperation in sectors including trade, education and technology, it said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) at the Kremlin in May. Photo: Kremlin/dpa

Sultan Ibrahim would attend a state banquet hosted by Putin and visit an automotive technology development company as well as the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Hub, the statement said. After concluding the Moscow visit, the king is set to travel to Kazan on Friday, where he is scheduled to tour a helicopter manufacturing facility.

The visit follows Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s trip to Moscow in May, where both countries held talks covering areas including education, agriculture, food security, energy and defence.

During the meeting, Putin had criticised a United Nations investigation that found his country responsible for the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which killed all 298 passengers and crew in 2014.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x