Singapore PM Wong heads to Kazan for June 17-18 ASEAN-Russia summit
Why it matters: Singapore is keeping channels with Moscow open through ASEAN even as its sanctions over the Ukraine war remain in place.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will travel to Kazan on June 17 and 18 for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, his first such meeting since taking office. The gathering, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, marks 35 years of ASEAN-Russia relations and 30 years of Russia’s role as an ASEAN dialogue partner. Wong will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. During his trip, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong will serve as acting prime minister. Singapore has continued engaging Russia through ASEAN-led forums after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, while maintaining sanctions including export controls and restrictions on certain Russian banks and financial transactions.