Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul on 18 June 2026 attended the plenary session of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, held in Kazan, Russian Federation, in celebration of the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations.

The Prime Minister stated that ASEAN-Russian cooperation should focus on three strategic priorities, according to Government Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. 

First, ASEAN regionalism must remain the foundation of the partnership, just as ASEAN has been the anchor of peace and stability in the region. At a time when multilateralism is under strain, regionalism can serve as an anchor of a global order based on international law.

In a more multipolar world, the emerging global architecture must better reflect diverse voices and groupings. It is important to build bridges and enable like-minded countries to cooperate on shared priorities. This is why ASEAN-led mechanisms remain important. They provide platforms for dialogue, confidence building, and practical cooperation. Thailand values Russia’s active engagement in these mechanisms and its continued support for ASEAN centrality. The maritime domain is one area where such cooperation is increasingly important. Recent disruptions to maritime trade and energy flows are the reminders that maritime security is economic security.

Thailand therefore supports closer ASEAN-Russia dialogue and practical cooperation in promoting maritime safety, connectivity, and a stable maritime environment in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.

Second, resilience should be at the heart of the cooperation. Resilience is no longer simply about responding to crises. It is increasingly more about preparing for them. Challenges like food security, energy volatility, climate impacts, and supply chain disruptions can quickly spread across borders. And these are challenges no country can address alone. ASEAN-Russia cooperation should therefore focus on enhancing collective capacity to anticipate risks, adapt to change, and recover from such challenges.

Food and energy security are areas where ASEAN-Russia cooperation can deliver tangible and measurable benefits. As a major agricultural producer and exporter, Thailand sees strong potential for cooperation with Russia in enhancing fertilizer supply chains, advancing agricultural innovation, and building food system resilience. Likewise, cooperation on energy security, emerging energy technologies, and capacity building can help strengthen regional resilience while supporting sustainable growth and energy transition efforts.

Third, relevance will determine the true value of ASEAN-Russia relations. For this partnership to remain strong, it must remain people-centered, and address emerging challenges that directly affect the safety and well-being of the people. Today, one of the most immediate threats comes from online scams, cybercrime, and transnational criminal networks. These activities operate across borders and are often linked to money laundering, human trafficking, and illicit financial flows. Thailand therefore supports stronger cooperation in information-sharing, capacity building, law enforcement, and digital security to better protect citizens and economies.

Relevance also means preparing societies for the opportunities of tomorrow. Technology is transforming the way we work, live, and compete. To remain competitive and inclusive, it is necessary to invest in the people and equip them with future-ready skills. ASEAN and Russia should therefore deepen cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and education. By investing in knowledge-sharing, skills development, youth empowerment, and people-to-people exchanges, new opportunities for future generations can then be created.

In closing, the Prime Minister emphasized that the strength of ASEAN–Russia relations lie not only in their shared history, but also in the shared vision for the future. Over the past 35 years, ASEAN and Russia have built a partnership that continues to adapt while delivering practical benefits to their people. It is important to continue to build on this foundation and seize new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Thailand is pleased to join fellow Leaders in adopting the Kazan Declaration and other outcome documents. These documents provide a clear roadmap for advancing ASEAN-Russia cooperation in the years ahead. The Prime Minister called on ASEAN and Russia to build a partnership that delivers practical value to their people, strengthens regional resilience, and contributes to peace, stability, and shared prosperity for current and future generations.