🗞 Russia’s Ambassador to Thailand Evgeny Tomikhin’s article “Russia-ASEAN Ties Set Standard” published in Bangkok Post (October 15, 2025)

Key points:

✍️ For over a quarter of a century, Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (#ASEAN) have nurtured a unique partnership that has not only stood the test of time but has also evolved into a strategic pillar of regional stability. Today, as the international order transitions towards multipolarity, our dialogue partnership represents a model of how states can cooperate on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and shared benefit.

• The designation of Russia–ASEAN relations as a Strategic Partnership in 2018 was a recognition of accumulated trust and shared objectives. It signalled our joint commitment to address pressing regional and global issues, including security, development, education, science, and culture. Importantly, the partnership has always been premised on ASEAN centrality — a principle that Russia fully respects.

• The Comprehensive Plan of Action to the ASEAN and Russia Strategic Partnership (2021-2025) is being actively implemented. There are numerous joint projects and programmes in the fields of culture, sports, education and science. <...> Since 2024, Russia has officially become an ASEAN Digital Partner. It is a significant step towards the development of technological innovation and digital cooperation between Russia and ASEAN.

• Russia and ASEAN countries share a common vision. It is an approach of a multipolar world based on sovereign equality and inviolability of international law. It is precisely this convergence that allows our partnership to flourish. We do not dictate to one another — on the contrary, we engage in dialogue. We do not seek to create exclusive blocs; we build bridges.

• Russia's concept of the Greater Eurasian Partnership proposed by President Vladimir Putin offers a framework for linking integration processes across the continent — from the Eurasian Economic Union to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (#SCO), #BRICS and ASEAN. Rather than replacing existing mechanisms, it aims to create synergies, reduce fragmentation and promote connectivity in trade, energy, infrastructure and people-to-people contacts. Russia's support for ASEAN centrality, neutrality and inclusiveness directly serves this objective.

❗️ In today's turbulent world, the Russia–ASEAN dialogue partnership is more than a success story; it is a role model of relations in a multipolar world.

• Looking ahead, Russia stands ready to continue working hand in hand with ASEAN partners to build a just, balanced and sustainable regional and global order. Our shared future depends not on confrontation but on cooperation, not on dominance but on dialogue.

Read in Bangkok Post

#RussiaASEAN

📚 On October 15, 1814, the outstanding Russian poet, novelist, and painter Mikhail #Lermontov was born in Moscow.

A leading voice of Russian Romanticism, Lermontov captured the spirit of youth, freedom, and the search for meaning. His works – including A Hero of Our Time, The Demon, and Masquerade – profoundly influenced generations of readers and writers.

Deeply inspired by the landscapes of the Caucasus, he often wrote about the beauty and mystery of distant lands, where human passion meets nature’s grandeur.

His verses still resonate across cultures with their emotional depth and timeless reflection on destiny and the human soul:

Alone I set out on the road;
The flinty path is sparkling in the mist;
The night is still. The desert harks to God,
And star with star converses.
The vault is overwhelmed with solemn wonder
The earth in cobalt aura sleeps. . .
Why do I feel so pained and troubled?
What do I harbor: hope, regrets?
I see no hope in years to come,
Have no regrets for things gone by.
All that I seek is peace and freedom!
To lose myself and sleep!

Lermontov’s legacy lives on as a symbol of poetic courage and the eternal quest for truth.

🎙 Commentary by Aide to the President of Russia Yury Ushakov following a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and President of the United States Donald Trump (October 16, 2025)

💬 Yury Ushakov: Today in the afternoon, Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation, the eighth one, with US President Donald Trump.

The conversation lasted almost two and a half hours. Clearly, it was a rather substantive and at the same time very open and frank exchange.

Our President started out by congratulating Donald Trump on his successful efforts to normalise the situation in the #GazaStrip. The US President’s peace work has been duly appreciated in the #MiddleEast, in the United States itself, and in most countries around the world.

Naturally, the Russian Side outlined its principled position in favour of a comprehensive Middle East settlement on a generally recognised international legal basis that would ensure lasting peace for all the peoples in that region.

A special emphasis during the conversation was placed on the #UkraineCrisis.

❗️ Vladimir Putin provided a detailed assessment of the current situation, stressing Russia’s interest in achieving a peaceful resolution through political and diplomatic methods.

In particular, it was noted that during the special military operation, the Russian Armed Forces hold full strategic initiative along the entire line of contact. Under these circumstances, the Kiev regime resorts to terrorist methods, attacking civilian targets and energy infrastructure facilities, to which we are forced to respond accordingly.

***

Donald Trump repeatedly emphasised the imperative of establishing peace in Ukraine at the earliest opportunity. The notion that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has proven the most intractable issue in all peacekeeping efforts of the US President was palpably evident throughout his remarks during the conversation. In this context, he naturally mentioned his successes in settling eight other regional conflicts.

It is noteworthy that one of the US President’s key arguments centred on the premise that the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine would open up tremendous — and he stressed this — tremendous prospects for the development of US-Russian economic cooperation.

Incidentally, both Sides spoke of the profound mutual affinity between the peoples of the two countries, which was so vividly demonstrated during #WWII. It was underscored that the current state of bilateral relations appears paradoxical against this backdrop.

The issue of potential supplies of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine was also raised. Vladimir Putin reiterated his position that Tomahawks would not change the situation on the battlefield but would inflict substantial damage to relations between our countries, to say nothing of the prospects for a peaceful settlement.

In this context, it is worthy of note that the Presidents discussed the possibility of holding another personal meeting. This is indeed a very significant development. It was agreed that representatives of both countries would immediately begin preparations for the Summit, which could potentially be organised in Budapest, for instance.

On a separate note, it should be mentioned that our President highly praised personal efforts of the First Lady of the United States Melania Trump in reuniting Russian and Ukrainian children with their families and asked the US President to convey his very best wishes to his spouse.

Overall, I would say that the telephone contact between the Presidents of Russia and the United States was quite useful, and the two Leaders agreed to maintain contact.

🇷🇺🇺🇸 #RussiaUS

🇷🇺🇺🇸📞 On October 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Parties engaged in a constructive discussion focusing on possible specific steps to implement the understandings reached during President Vladimir Putin’s October 16 telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

#RussiaUS

🗓 20-22 октября заместитель Министра иностранных дел Российской Федерации С.В.Вершинин во главе российской межведомственной делегации принял участие в 10-й Сингапурской международной кибернеделе и организованной в её рамках специальной сессии Министерской конференции АСЕАН по кибербезопасности с диалоговыми партнёрами.

Участниками мероприятия подчеркивалась важность осознания глобального характера возрастающих угроз в цифровой среде. Дана высокая оценка итогам завершившей свою деятельность Рабочей группы открытого состава (#РГОС) #ООН по вопросам безопасности в сфере использования ИКТ и самих ИКТ. Обозначен настрой на совместную работу в рамках создаваемого на смену РГОС постоянного Всемирного механизма по достижениям в области ИКТ в контексте международной безопасности и продвижению ответственного поведения государств в сфере использования ИКТ. Отмечена значимость подписания Конвенции ООН против киберпреступности в Ханое, Вьетнам (25-26 октября).

«На полях» Форума проведены двусторонние встречи С.В.Вершинина с заместителем Генерального секретаря ООН, Высоким представителем ООН по вопросам разоружения И.Накамицу, Государственным министром иностранных дел, торговли и промышленности Сингапура Ган Сьяо Хуан, Постоянным секретарем МИД Сингапура А.Чуа, исполнительным директором Национального агентства по кибербезопасности Сингапура Д.Ко, постоянным представителем Сингапура при ООН Б.Гафуром и главой департамента кибербезопасности МИД Бразилии Л.Ш.Кальзой.

Состоявшиеся заседания и двусторонние контакты подтвердили восприимчивость стран АСЕАН к основным элементам российских подходов к международной информационной безопасности (#МИБ). В частности, были поддержаны аргументы России о центральной роли ООН в переговорном процессе по вопросам безопасности в сфере использования ИКТ, включая искусственный интеллект, необходимости выработки юридически обязывающих норм для предотвращения и урегулирования конфликтов в цифровой сфере на основе принципов суверенного равенства и невмешательства во внутренние дела государств.

🗓 On October 20-22, Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, heading the Russian interagency delegation, took part in the 10th Singapore International Cyber Week and the Special Session of the ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity with Dialogue Partners held within its framework.

Participants of the event emphasized the importance of recognizing the global nature of growing threats in the digital environment. The results of the now-concluded UN Open-Ended Working Group (#OEWG) focused on the security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (ICT) were highly commended. A commitment was expressed to work jointly within the framework of the forthcoming Permanent Global Mechanism on ICT Security and Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace, which will replace the OEWG. The signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi, Viet Nam (October 25-26), was noted as an important milestone.

On the sidelines of the Forum, DFM Vershinin held bilateral meetings with UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade & Industry, Gan Siow Huang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Albert Chua, Chief Executive of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore David Koh, Permanent Representative of Singapore to the UN, Burhan Gafoor, and Head of the Cyber Defense and Security Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Larissa Calza.

The meetings and bilateral contacts confirmed ASEAN countries’ receptiveness to the key elements of Russia’s approaches to international information security (#IIS). In particular, Russia’s arguments were supported regarding the central role of the UN in the negotiation process on ICT security issues, including artificial intelligence, as well as the need to develop legally binding norms to prevent and resolve conflicts in cyberspace based on the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.

🎙 Excerpts from President of Russia Vladimir Putin's answers to media questions (Moscow, October 24, 2025):

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❓ Question: Yesterday, we heard yet another statement by the US President regarding him either meeting with you or not meeting with you, and the Ukraine crisis, too. Almost at the same time, the US imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies.

💬 President Putin: The fact that they cancelled imports of our toilet bowls will cost them dearly. I think they will need them if they continue the same policy toward the Russian Federation.

As for the statements of the President of the United States, what can I say? In the most recent telephone conversation, both the meeting itself and the location for it were proposed by the American Side. I agreed with the idea and expressed my views in this regard pointing out that, without a doubt, such meetings must be well prepared.

<...>

I have read the statement that the US President decided to cancel or rather to postpone this meeting. What can I say? Dialogue is always better than confrontation, disputes, or, even more so, war. Therefore, we have always supported dialogue, and we continue to do so.

Now, regarding the new sanctions. First, there is nothing new about them. Clearly, they will have serious implications, but they will not significantly affect our economic well-being.

<...>

As for the political aspect — It implies an attempt to put pressure on Russia. But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever make decisions under pressure. Without a doubt, Russia has the privilege of considering itself among those self-respecting countries and peoples.

Speaking of the political aspect this, of course, represents an unfriendly step with regard to Russia. That much is clear, and it does not help strengthen Russia-US relations, which have just begun to recover. Of course, actions like this by the US administration are damaging to Russia-US relations. <...>

At present, the United States produces approximately 13.5 million barrels per day, ranking first. Saudi Arabia is second with around 10 million barrels, and the Russian Federation is third with roughly 9.5 million barrels per day. However, the United States consumes 20 million barrels. They sell some and purchase even more, primarily from Canada. Thus, they produce 13.5 million but consume 20 million.

Meanwhile, the Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia sell more oil and petroleum products. I may be mistaken in some details, perhaps mixing something up on the spot, but the general order aligns with reality. And what is that reality? Saudi Arabia exports approximately 9 million tonnes of oil and petroleum products to external markets, while the Russian Federation exports 7.5 million. That is to say, our contribution to the global energy balance is very significant, exceedingly so. Currently, this balance serves both consumers’ and producers’ interests. Disrupting this balance — that is an inglorious task, including for those attempting to do so.

❓ Question: Regarding the use of Western long-range weapons, how do you personally assess the evidently contradictory signals coming from Washington? The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal reported that the US has lifted a key restriction on the use of such weapons. Then Trump stated that Tomahawks would not be supplied after all. Zelensky once again claimed that Ukraine will receive weapons capable of striking targets up to 3'000 kilometres away. Is this still an escalation?

💬 President Putin: This is an attempt at escalation. If such weapons are used to strike Russian territory, the response will be extremely serious, if not staggering.

They would be wise to consider that carefully.

🗓 On October 23, Sochi (Russia) hosted the 5th #ASEAN-Russia Dialogue on ICT Security-Related Issues under the co-chairmanship of Russia 🇷🇺 and Myanmar 🇲🇲 on the sidelines of the Kuban CSC-2025.

🔹️The meeting reiterated the willingness of Russia and ASEAN Member States to promote interagency cooperation in finding effective solutions of issues related to the ICT security.

🔹️Particular attention was paid to the issues of combating the use of ICT for criminal purposes, capacity building through personnel training, exchanging experience, strengthening technical equipment and improving software and hardware.

🔹️The parties welcomed the upcoming signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi, October 25-26) and confirmed their readiness to strengthen cooperation on international information security within the UN and its specialized agencies, including the International Telecommunication Union, as well as at regional venues.

🔹️It was agreed to hold the next round of the ASEAN-Russia Dialogue on ICT Security-Related Issues next year.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement following a high-level Plenary Session of the 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security (Minsk, October 28, 2025)

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💬 Sergey Lavrov: The conference is steadily moving towards becoming a promising discussion and expert platform to develop concrete recommendations. From my standpoint, the fact that delegates from public authorities, as well as experts, political scientists, and civil society figures have come together for this event is important and makes it possible to leverage ideas coming from civil society that genuinely resonate with the people.

An increasing number of people across the Eurasian continent recognise the importance of removing obstacles that are being artificially put up on the way towards sustainable, independent, and effective economic growth, improvements in the social sphere, and logistical infrastructure of this vast and resource-rich continent.

President Lukashenko’s speech was followed by speeches delivered by foreign ministers of Hungary, Myanmar, and the DPRK, as well as the Special Representative of China for Eurasian Affairs. Still to come are speeches by ranking representatives from India, Iran, the UAE, Cambodia, and secretaries general of the #SCO, the #CSTO, and the #CICA. Over time, these integration groups will, through the natural process of restoring connections and developing joint projects, eventually become part of Eurasian architecture relying on an economic foundation and a logistical dimension, which is a solid basis for building security architecture.

Forty-eight delegations are represented here. The participants will use various panels to discuss every angle of the pressing goals of Eurasian development.

We are doing our best to promote President Putin’s initiative to create Eurasian security architecture within the context of our efforts to create the Greater Eurasian Partnership. We are using this tentative term to make sure the continent has platforms it can use to freely discuss, examine and bounce ideas off one another.

You may have heard our statement. Many in the West recognise the importance of Eurasia, but the problem is that Western countries, primarily, NATO members are not ready to engage on an equal footing or to seek forms of pan-continental cooperation based on equality and indivisible security across our common geopolitical space.

On the contrary, they want NATO bodies to spread across the entire continent, including the Pacific, where NATO seeks to create military-political alliance-like closed blocs with a limited number of participants, thus eroding the universal and open architecture that it took the ASEAN countries decades to build. All interested countries were welcome to be part of that architecture and use its various mechanisms.

Efforts are being deployed to reverse this process and to subordinate ongoing developments in Eurasia to the interests of the North Atlantic Alliance. These interests are, above all, about containing China, Russia, and the DPRK and, in the long run, any other country that may wish to assert its right to pursue an independent policy based on national interests.

In closing, I would like to point out that our Belarusian friends have put forward an initiative to draft a Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century. We strongly support this idea. Several countries said they were willing to participate in drafting this document. This process will take time, but the goal has been set, and a growing number of countries share it. We will keep moving towards this goal.

🇷🇺 Today #Russia and its many peoples celebrate national #UnityDay!

It symbolizes the unity of our multiethnic nation, celebrates our true diversity, enhanced through unity and honours the unerring ultimate devotion to the Motherland.

❗️ Happy #UnityDay!

#UnityDay2025 #TogetherForever