Moscow, May 15 - During an official visit to Moscow on May 14, 2025, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for the resumption of direct flights by Russian airlines, including Aeroflot, to Malaysia, emphasizing the need to enhance connectivity and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. The proposal was made during high-level discussions with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and President Vladimir Putin, marking a significant step toward deepening Malaysia-Russia relations. Anwar’s visit, which spanned four days and included a subsequent trip to Kazan, Tatarstan, underscored Malaysia’s commitment to fostering cooperation across multiple sectors, with aviation serving as a key conduit for closer people-to-people and economic exchanges.
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The push for Aeroflot’s return to Malaysian skies reflects a broader strategy to boost tourism, trade, and cultural interactions. Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline group, which includes subsidiaries Rossiya and Pobeda, carried 30.1 million passengers in 2024, with a total of 55.3 million when including its affiliate airlines. The airline’s extensive domestic and international network positions it as a leader in Russian commercial aviation, making it an ideal partner for Malaysia’s ambitions to reconnect the two countries through direct air routes. Anwar highlighted Malaysia’s “position of centrality” within ASEAN, emphasizing that decisions regarding such partnerships are made independently to serve the interests of Malaysia and its people. This stance aligns with Malaysia’s broader foreign policy of engaging with global partners while maintaining autonomy in its international relations.
The discussions in Moscow built on longstanding ties between Malaysia and Russia, which have historically been grounded in mutual respect and collaboration. Anwar’s meetings with Mishustin and Putin covered a wide range of cooperative areas, including trade, investment, higher education, health, energy, agriculture, tourism, and scientific exchanges. The resumption of direct flights was framed as a practical measure to facilitate these ambitions, particularly by increasing the flow of tourists and business travelers. Malaysia, with its vibrant multicultural society, tropical landscapes, and competitive tourism offerings, stands to benefit from increased Russian visitors, while Russia could leverage Malaysia as a gateway to ASEAN markets. Anwar also expressed Malaysia’s intent to double exports of high-value-added products, such as medical devices, building materials, and solar panels, to Russia, alongside traditional commodities like cocoa and palm oil.
This is not the first time Malaysia has sought to restore direct flights with Russia. In 2022, Malaysia’s ambassador to Russia, Datuk Bala Chandran Tharman, expressed hope that Aeroflot would establish routes between Moscow or St. Petersburg and Kuala Lumpur. Anwar himself reiterated the call for direct flights during a previous visit to Vladivostok in September 2024, noting the potential to boost tourism. The 2025 Moscow talks signal a renewed urgency to translate these aspirations into action, with Anwar extending an invitation to Mishustin to visit Malaysia with a business delegation to further solidify ties. The resumption of Aeroflot flights could serve as a catalyst for Malaysia-Russia relations, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.