Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed visibly dejected as he convened a parallel summit with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) while the Group of Seven (G7) held its annual meeting in Paris. Images from the gathering in Kazan, Russia, depicted a somber Putin engaging with ASEAN representatives, a stark contrast to the high-profile G7 summit.
Putin's Alternative Summit
Putin organized the meeting with ASEAN members concurrently with the G7 summit, which included Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. The ASEAN grouping comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Although ASEAN has dialogue partners such as the UK, US, Australia, China, EU, and Japan, it is not considered among the most influential international blocs.
A Longing for the Soviet Era
During his address, Putin spent considerable time reflecting on the Soviet Union, which he has previously expressed a desire to see restored. He stated, "The Soviet Union once played a significant role in helping many nations of Southeast Asia overcome the legacy of colonialism, supporting the development of their statehood, building the foundations of their economies, and strengthening their defence capabilities."
He added, "Tens of thousands of students from Southeast Asia have graduated from our higher education institutions. The knowledge and skills they acquired – as engineers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, economists, and specialists in countless other fields – have brought, and continue to bring, tangible benefits to the citizens of your countries."
Russia-ASEAN Partnership
Putin emphasized the ongoing cooperation between Russia and ASEAN, saying, "Today, Russia and ASEAN states are jointly building on and enhancing those fine traditions of mutually beneficial cooperation, while working to deepen our partnership. Importantly, we stand together in advocating a just and equitable world order, upholding the principles of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs."
He further noted shared values, "Both Russia and ASEAN countries share common moral values, respect one another’s national identities, and recognise the rich cultural and civilisational diversity of our world. Every one of our nations follows its own development path and does not seek to impose its views on others – and that, without a doubt, is our collective strength."
Putin concluded by praising the group and proposing a toast to the health of the heads of delegations. Observers questioned the sincerity of his remarks, given his known nostalgia for the Soviet Union and Russia's exclusion from the G7, which was known as the G8 until Russia's suspension in 2014.
