President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation described the relationship with Laos as strong on a political level, yet he stressed the need to infuse this partnership with tangible economic momentum. The remark came through Reuters reports and was echoed during a bilateral meeting with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, where both leaders underscored the readiness to push trade and investment exchanges alongside political cooperation.
Putin told Sisoulith that the partnership between Russia and Laos stands on a very solid political foundation. He stressed that while the overall political ties are excellent, there is real room to deepen practical economic collaboration. The emphasis was on translating political goodwill into concrete business activity, increased trade turnover, and joint ventures that can benefit both economies, especially in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. The Lao president welcomed the prospect of expanding economic dialogue and invited Russia to continue high level discussions to identify specific projects and incentives that could accelerate collaboration. The exchange highlighted a shared interest in building a more diversified and resilient bilateral relationship, extending beyond diplomacy into everyday economic gains for people in both nations. The statement about potential economic growth in 2022 was acknowledged as a stepping stone toward a more robust, results oriented partnership, with both sides agreeing to maintain momentum through regular consultations and joint planning.
Earlier, Putin had traveled to Beijing to participate in the third international Belt and Road Forum, a gathering that emphasizes regional connectivity, infrastructure financing, and multilateral cooperation. The forum provided a platform for Russia to engage with a wide range of national leaders and to discuss concrete cooperation opportunities within the broader framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. In Beijing, Putin outlined his agenda and prepared for further discussions with other heads of state and government, reinforcing Moscow’s interest in collaborative projects that link energy, logistics, and technology across Eurasia.
Putin’s schedule for the day included a planned meeting with Vo Van Thuong, the president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, aimed at strengthening political rapport and exploring economic partnerships in Southeast Asia. Following that engagement, discussions were expected with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, signaling a continued push to align on regional initiatives, trade facilitation, and mutual interests in security and development. Although the exact list of subsequent talks remained fluid, officials indicated that additional meetings could occur as the day progressed, reflecting Moscow’s commitment to a proactive diplomatic posture in the region.
In remarks that underscored a cooperative mindset, Russia signaled a readiness to broaden dialogue with Southeast Asian partners while maintaining its strategic ties with neighboring powers. The overarching aim was to reinforce an integrated approach to regional development that leverages Russian expertise in sectors such as energy infrastructure, weapons modernization, agriculture, and technology transfer, alongside Southeast Asia’s rapid growth and expanding consumer markets. The conversations in Beijing and the anticipated discussions in Southeast Asia illustrate a consistent priority: turning high level rhetoric into practical, mutually advantageous projects that can yield longer lasting economic benefits for citizens on both sides of the border.