Key facts
- Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan.
- Singapore is the only ASEAN member to have imposed sanctions on Russia.
- Wong stated Singapore's sanctions are based on respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Analysts suggest the meeting was pragmatic due to Singapore's upcoming ASEAN chairmanship and regional energy security concerns.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan last week on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit. This marked the first high-level exchange between the two leaders. Singapore is the sole ASEAN member to have imposed sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, having strongly condemned Moscow's actions in parliamentary and UN settings. In response, Russia designated Singapore as an "unfriendly country" in March 2022.
Wong stated in a social media post that Singapore's stance is not about aligning with any particular side but stems from a belief that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations must be upheld. He emphasized that his discussion with Putin highlighted the importance of dialogue and engagement, even when disagreements exist.