Russia

Putin meets with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah

TASS English · 2026-06-17

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah during the Russia-ASEAN summit in Kazan, discussing bilateral relations and cooperation. • Why it matters: Brunei is a key partner for Russia in the Asia-Pacific region, and both countries are looking to enhance trade, particularly in energy, while maintaining a diplomatic stance that avoids Western sanctions against Russia. • What to watch next: The upcoming celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Brunei on October 1, and potential developments in their cooperation in various sectors, including energy, agriculture, and education.

Russia-ASEAN Summit - 2026Putin meets with Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah The conversation was taking place at the Galiaskar Kamal Tatar Academic TheatreKAZAN, June 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah on the sidelines of the Russia-ASEAN summit in Kazan. The conversation was taking place at the Galiaskar Kamal Tatar Academic Theatre, where the official meeting ceremony of the heads of delegations participating in the upcoming summit will take place later. The Russian delegation includes Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin, Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov. Bolkiah visited Russia in 2005 and 2009 and also participated in international forums in 2012, 2013, and 2016. Putin visited Brunei in 2000 to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The previous time the leaders met was during the Russia-ASEAN summit in Singapore in 2018. Brunei is a key Russian partner in the Asia-Pacific region, a respected ASEAN member, and a prominent representative of the Muslim world. Russia and Brunei will celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations on October 1. The trade turnover between Russia and Brunei is growing. The two countries do business in the energy sphere, as Brunei is a buyer of Russian oil. There is a great potential for cooperation in industry, agriculture, and medicine. The nations demonstrate their commitment to developing educational and cultural ties and interuniversity contacts. A 14-day visa-free travel regime is in effect for the citizens of Russia and Brunei. The positions of the two countries on the topical issues on the global and regional agendas are close or coincide. Russia and Brunei are effectively cooperating at the United Nations and in the framework of multilateral formats in the Asia-Pacific region. Brunei has not joined Western sanctions against Russia, and traditionally abstains from voting in the UN General Assembly on unbalanced draft resolutions on Ukrainian issues. TagsForeign policyRussia-ASEAN Summit - 2026Putin suggests considering establishment of Russia-Brunei intergovernmental commissionAccording to the Russian leader, it would be possible to carry out the systemic work on development of fuel and energyRead moreVance notes that all US interceptor missiles could not meet Kiev's needs in new bookThe US vice president said he expressed this opinion during a conversation "with a key Ukrainian parliamentary leader" in 2024Read morePutin meets with leader of Philippines in KazanThe Philippines heads the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2026Read moreIran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from regionIran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nationRead moreTrade turnover between Russia, ASEAN up 60% over last decadeYury Ushakov said that it amounted to about $22 blnRead moreWhat is known about detention of three Ukrainian agents plotting terrorist attacksThe perpetrators planned to carry out sabotage and terrorist attacks targeting Russian servicemen and volunteers, transport infrastructure and fuel and energy facilitiesRead moreRussia’s latest Starlink satellite jammer shows high efficiency — expertThe Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare system does not switch off Starlink communications as such but instead ‘stuns’ a particular satellite for the duration of its flight over the area of the system’s operationRead moreSingapore’s PM arrives in Kazan for Russia-ASEAN summitHead of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov met Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Kazan International AirportRead moreRussian forces successfully advance near Belitskoye under Rodinskoye in DPR — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, Russian troops will continue to advance in this sectorRead moreTanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTIThe change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, notedRead moreFACTBOX: Moscow refinery damaged, 172 UAVs target Russia in Ukraine's new attackMore than 30 drones were destroyed in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky and four districts of the Rostov Region, Governor Yury Slyusar saidRead moreUkraine is provoking Belarus, trying to draw it into conflict — Officers of RussiaAccording to the statement, the Kiev regime is acting immorally within the conflict and is completely unbound by human notions of good and evil, which is why it is targeting children Read moreUkrainian troops trapped near Drobyshevo in Donetsk region - military expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, several fire pockets have been formed between the settlements of Drobyshevo and StavkiRead moreUS discusses charging vessels for transit through Strait of Hormuz — PoliticoAround 500 vessels, including 220 oil tankers, remain in the Persian Gulf near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz awaiting safe passageRead moreBattle-scene fragments of Sevastopol Panorama survive after Ukrainian attackThe best-preserved sections depict the Defensive Tower on Malakhov Kurgan and the fortifications on the right flank of the Senyavin Battery, the Sevastopol Defense Museum reportedRead moreVance notes limited capacity of US to support Ukraine in new bookThe US vice president wrote that even the most ardent supporters of Kiev now acknowledge this fact Read moreTrump denies reports on $300 bln fund as part of deal with IranThe US president said that it was a false storyRead moreGlobal economy undergoing transformation, countries need new partnerships — PM MishustinMikhail Mishustin added that turbulence is intensifying, while trade wars are escalating Read moreRussia’s Supercam S180 recon drone gets protection against interceptor UAVsThe flight duration of the Supercam S180 drone has been doubledRead moreOne of Ukrainian brigades near Zaporozhye lost combat capability — military sources sayRussian officials indicate that Ukrainian forces are scrambling to compensate for their losses by rapidly deploying new recruitsRead moreStop list expansion practice to continue — Russian Foreign MinistryThe Russian Foreign Ministry said that in the statement on introduction of personal restrictions against Canadian nationalsRead moreRussian Helicopters to supply 21 civilian helicopters to IranIran is a long-standing partner of Rostec and Russian Helicopters, CEO of the holding Nikolay Kolesov saidRead morePresident Putin arrives in Kazan for Russia-ASEAN Summit — KremlinA solemn reception is scheduled for today on behalf of the Russian president in honor of the visiting heads of delegationsRead moreCollective West manipulating international law — CSTO chiefTaalatbek Masadykov noted that the existing international security architecture had been destabilizedRead moreUkrainian brigade command begs to be allowed to step down due to casualties in ZaporozhyeAccording to the Russian security officials, 15 servicemen from the brigade were killed by aerial strikes in a single sector aloneRead moreFrance national team begins World Cup with victory over SenegalThe match ended with a score of 3:1Read moreChina demands UK revoke sanctions against Chinese companiesOn June 16, authorities of the United Kingdom expanded the sanction list against RussiaRead moreMajority of Ukrainians want new government post-war, poll showsThe share of respondents seeking a shift in the executive branch of power rose from 73% in 2023 to 88%Read moreRussia’s top diplomat comments on Germany’s military buildup, Zelensky’s public posturingAccording to Sergey Lavrov, Russia values Turkey’s diplomatic efforts on Ukraine but highlights "that any sustainable, long-term, and reliable settlement requires addressing the root causes of the crisis"Read moreKiev regime targets children — Russian Foreign MinistryMaria Zakharova's remarks come in response to the Ukrainian armed forces’ attack on a bus carrying children in the Bryansk RegionRead moreRussia closes entry into country for 103 Canadian nationalsRussia does not accept the hostile line of the Canadian political elite that razed bilateral relations with Moscow to the ground, the ministry addedRead morePutin highlights extensive experience of Russia-ASEAN cooperationThe Russian leader expressed confidence that the forum's decisions would create opportunities for further advancement of mutually beneficial trade, investment, industrial cooperation, and expanded direct dialogue between business communitiesRead moreEast Timor’s PM arrives in Kazan to attend Russia-ASEAN summitThe Russia-ASEAN summit is taking place in Kazan from June 17-19Read moreEU aid to Ukraine frozen — BorrellThe ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against RussiaRead moreZelensky to be excluded from NATO summit plenary session in Ankara — RutteIn accordance with the additional remarks, no Ukraine-NATO Council meeting at the level of heads of state and government will be held in Ankara, unlike in 2023 and 2024Read moreKremlin outlines Russia-ASEAN summit programThe program begins on the evening of June 17 with a reception on behalf of the president of the Russian Federation in honor of the heads of delegationsRead moreTrump calls Obama administration’s transfer of $350 billion of arms to Ukraine 'crazy'The US leader emphasized that Washington was selling weapons at presentRead moreRussia plans to increase LNG supplies to ASEAN countriesRussian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov also noted significant potential for expanding food exports, including wheat, vegetable oil, and meat productsRead moreMinsk alerts FIFA, UEFA about Ukrainian strike on bus with Belarusian children’s teamThe Belarusian Football Federation expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured in this incidentRead moreNorway national team defeats Iraq in World Cup matchThe match ended with a score of 4:1Read moreUK investigates reports of Russian frigate firing off warning shots in English ChannelAccording to the BBC, the incident allegedly occurred on June 16 about 20 nautical miles south of the Isle of WightRead moreFSB nabs accomplices of Kiev’s special services in three Russian regionsAn improvised explosive device based on a plastic explosive of foreign manufacture and improvised Molotov cocktails were confiscated from the attackersRead moreIran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TVAccording to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"Read moreIRGC Navy keeps requiring vessels to coordinate with them despite lifted US blockadeThe Iranian broadcaster said that all Iranian vessels are currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz unhinderedRead moreUkraine loses more than 21,000 troops in first 15 days of JuneThe Ukrainian forces sustained the heaviest casualties from actions by Russia’s battlegroups Center and EastRead moreYacht that caused incident with Russian frigate was sailing from Britain to FranceThe yacht departed at 4:15 a.m. GMT from Lymington Bay in Hampshire County in southwest EnglandRead moreZelensky expects separate meeting with Trump on WednesdayAccording to Vladimir Zelensky, representatives of the two countries will hold meetings at various levels over a 24-hour periodRead moreKalashnikov Group delivers next batch of upgraded AK-12 assault rifles to Russian troopsThe number of AK-12 assault rifles supplied to the troops has increased considerably since the start of the special military operationRead moreReadiness to receive Zelensky in Moscow, Witkoff-Kushner visit: Kremlin briefingThere are no official channels for communication between Moscow and Kiev, Dmitry Peskov stressedRead moreIran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassadorTehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomaticallyRead moreRussia does not count on UN's mediating role in Ukrainian issue — Foreign MinistryDeputy Minister Alexander Alimov says the behavior of the UN Secretariat and the Secretary-General "deprives them of such a role, such authority, and such credibility" Read moreG7 to up supplies of air defense systems, interceptors, long-range systems to UkraineThe Group of Seven countries are ready to consider licenses allowing Ukraine to raise the volume of its own military production Read moreTrump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open straitTime is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President saidRead moreUS-Iran deal to cover Israel, Lebanon, Gulf countries — VanceThe US vice president called the agreement "a true regional peace deal"Read moreCanada understands Zelensky is spent force, says Russian ambassador to OttawaAccording to Oleg Stepanov, the Canadian government masks its helplessness with the predictable trappings of empty public-relations stuntsRead moreVance notes high level of support for Putin in Russia in his new bookAccording to the US vice president, every independent and objective effort to assess the popularity of the Russian president "had found high levels of support among rank-and-file Russians"Read moreUS awaits Zelensky’s agreement to peace settlement in Ukraine — congresswomanAnna Paulina Luna also published a link to Vladimir Zelensky’s X post about a meeting held in Evian-les-BainsRead moreArgentina defeats Algeria in FIFA World Cup matchThe match ended with a score of 3:0Read moreUS may cancel sanction carveouts for Russian oil soon — TrumpThe US leader said that the oil is now flowingRead morePezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogueIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorismRead moreBulgaria is against certain anti-Russian sanctions — Foreign MinisterAccording to Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Sofia does not support sanctions that inflict damage to EU member-countriesRead moreUS troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White HouseThe United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28Read moreAnother strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in IranOne of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI saidRead moreRussian troops envelop Konstantinovka from all sides after liberating Artyoma — expertAndrey Marochko said that the liberation of the settlement of Artyoma is a strategic success of the Russian Armed ForcesRead moreUS-Iran deal includes creation of $300 bln private fund — ReutersAccording to the report, more than half of that amount already secured through investor commitmentsRead moreG7 leaders intend to tighten sanctions pressure on Russia's oil and gas sectorAccording to the leaders of G7, the deal between the US and Iran on unblocking the Strait of Hormuz creates suitable conditions for this stepRead moreWest working out scenarios for pre-emptive strikes against Russian naval bases — aideNikolay Patrushev noted that it is no secret that merchant ships regularly arrive at Russian ports with magnetic mines attached to their hulls, saying there are reasons to believe that the mines are planted at European portsRead moreUS military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TVIran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operationRead moreKiev is resorting to terrorist tactics amid Russian military advances — expertRussian forces are conducting active offensive operations in all sectors of the special military operation zoneRead moreIN BRIEF: What we know about consequences of Ukrainian attack on bus carrying childrenAccording to the latest information, a woman chaperone for the team diedRead moreRelations between Moscow, Ankara continue strengthening — top Turkish diplomatHakan Fidan noted that Russia-Turkey top- and high-level meetings, as well as business contacts had regular natureRead moreControl over Strait of Hormuz de facto handed to Iran — TVDespite the work on the agreement on opening the strait that is due to be signed on June 19, during the recent conflict Iran demonstrated its ability to block access to this major waterway, the sources said, adding that US intelligence suggests that Iran can do it againRead moreUkraine loses 5 Starlink satellite communication stations from actions of Battlegroup EastRussian forces also eliminated 12 drone control pointsRead moreRussia begins delivery of upgraded Supercam S350 recon drones to BelarusThe Unmanned Systems Group said the deliveries also include a mobile system mounted on a pickup truckRead moreRussian oil exports total 7.35 mln bpd in May, revenues fall to $20.79 bln — IEARussian crude oil exports increased by 170,000 bpd in May, while exports of petroleum products fell by 150,000 bpdRead moreSecond stage of deal with Iran, meeting with Zelensky and Ukraine: Trump’s statementsAccording to the US leader, in the event of an Israeli attack on Lebanon, the deal with Iran may remain in placeRead moreUS military strikes vessel allegedly carrying drugs, one killedTwo people survivedRead moreIN BRIEF: US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashes at Edwards Air Force BaseAccording to preliminary reports, eight crew members on board were killedRead moreWhat we know about incident with Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich in English ChannelThe crew of the frigate Amdiral Grigorovich acted in strict accordance with international shipping regulations and took every measure to prevent a collision, the Russian Defense Ministry stressedRead moreBelarus condemns Ukrainian drone attack on bus carrying its citizens in Bryansk RegionMinsk views it as yet another act of terrorism targeting civiliansRead moreIsrael, US attack amusement park in central IranNo information on casualties or damage has been reported yetRead moreKremlin aide comments on Russia-ASEAN Summit, possibility of Putin-Zelensky meetingMoscow has received no proposals from any party to arrange a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky in the United StatesRead moreIran to gain 'unprecedented benefits' from memorandum with US — Israeli TVRegarding the release of Iranian funds, the memorandum stipulates that the United States undertakes to make frozen Iranian assets available for use after the implementation of the memorandum of understandingRead moreRussia’s cutting-edge system 'blinds' Starlink satellites by 'parasitic' signals — expertStarlink satellites are located just 500 km from Earth, while the Volna Kupol Garant is a highly capable system with a directional phased-array antenna, chief designer of the Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions Dmitry Kuzyakin saidRead moreUS-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reportedThe Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incidentRead moreAnniversary Russia-ASEAN summit with Putin's participation begins in KazanInvitations were sent to 14 delegationsRead moreRussia, ASEAN have significant potential to expand trade — secretary-generalAccording to Kao Kim Hourn, Russia and ASEAN are developing their partnership at a time when economic adaptability and resilience are increasingly importantRead moreRussian troops liberate Novy Donbass community in Donetsk region over past day — top brassThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,330 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreDutch court refuses psych evaluation for former Spartak Moscow FC striker PromesAccording to ourt’s spokesperson Melissa Zijlstra, all other appeals filed by the football player's defense during the preliminary hearing on June 12 were also turned downRead moreMbappe enters top 3 in World Cup goals, surpassing MessiThe player has 14 goals in the tournamentRead moreOrthodox Church in Ukraine on brink of legal ban — Russian diplomatAccording to Russian Foreign Minister’s special envoy for international cooperation on ensuring the right to freedom of religion Mikhail Melekh, there is currently no state-religious dialogue in UkraineRead moreIran survives attacks, brings US to its knees - Israeli mediaAccording to the report, for a long time, Israel has not seen such a consensus in society, between the leftist and far-right forces, that the US-Iran deal is a "strategic defeat" for Israel and a "failure" for the United States and moderate Sunni states in the regionRead morePutin to discuss prospects for expanding cooperation with prime minister of LaosOn June 18, on the sidelines of the anniversary Russia-ASEAN summit in Kazan, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to have a meeting with Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay SiphandoneRead moreCritics of deal with Iran essentially propose endless war for US — VanceThe US vice president says that the opponents of the agreement are "not actually dealing with the reality" of what is in the documentRead moreLocal firms participated in construction of biolabs in UkraineThe companies participated in the construction of diagnostic centers and reference laboratories in Odessa, Uzhhorod, and Kherson, according to declassified US intelligence materialsRead moreTrump promises G7 concessions on Ukraine in exchange for help with Iran deal — PoliticoAccording to a diplomatic source, there are very high expectations that Donald Trump will support UkraineRead morePress review: Kazan hosts ASEAN summit and Hormuz reopening shapes ruble, oil outlookTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 17thRead moreNATO countries want to turn Armenia into their outpost in South Caucasus — expertAccording to Alexander Stepanov, Armenia has been within NATO’s sphere of influence since 1992, but military-political cooperation between the parties has only recently reached its peakRead morePress review: EU seeks to derail Ukraine talks as oil prices fall on Mid-East peace hopesTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 16thRead moreFilipino president, sultan of Brunei fly in for Russia-ASEAN summitThe Philippines holds ASEAN’s rotating chairmanship for 2026Read moreRussia creates world's most secure cybersecurity system amid current conditionsRussian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov noted that e-commerce volume had reached $140 bln in 2025Read more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

Russian-made Molniya-PVO interceptor drones prove effective against enemy UAVs

• What happened: Russian-made Molniya-PVO interceptor drones have demonstrated effectiveness against enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during military opera...

Russia

Iran, US to hold talks on June 19 in Switzerland — news agency

• What happened: The US and Iran are set to hold preliminary talks on June 19 in Burgenstock, Switzerland, to discuss the implementation of a recent agreement, ...

Russia

What is known about largest Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow Region in two years

• What happened: The largest Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow Region in two years occurred, with over 190 drones downed by air defenses, and several drones ...

Russia

What is known about coordinated strike on energy facilities in Ukraine by Russian forces

• What happened: Russian forces conducted a coordinated overnight strike on Ukrainian energy facilities, targeting a fuel depot in the Kiev Region and an oil re...

Russia

Bank of Russia buys $72.35 mln worth of yuan with June 17 settlement

• What happened: The Bank of Russia purchased 5.3 billion rubles (approximately $72.35 million) worth of yuan on the domestic market, with settlement on June 17...

Russia

Russian stock market falls at start of trading session

• What happened: The Russian stock market experienced a decline at the start of the trading session, with the MOEX and RTS indices falling by 0.8% to 2,465.11 a...