Putin held an operational meeting with permanent members of the Security Council

For Russia, the Asia-Pacific region (APR) is of strategic importance both in the economic and political spheres. This was announced on July 17 by Russian President Vladimir Putin during an operational meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council.

"For us, this (Asia—Pacific region — Ed.) is one of the most important areas today. I mean both the vector of our economic and political interests," he said.

Putin noted that significant work has been done in this direction in recent years. He asked Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to report on how the Foreign Ministry plans to build further activities to protect Russia's interests in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to inform about the progress of interdepartmental work in this area.

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On June 17, the Russian President stated that the partnership between Russia and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays the role of the most important stabilizing factor in the entire Asia-Pacific region. Then, in a conversation with the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, Hassanal Bolkiah, he stated that it was Moscow and Bandar Seri Begawan that were at the origin of the idea of forming a region-wide security architecture.

On the same day, Putin called Malaysia and East Timor promising partners of the country in the Asia-Pacific region. He once again pointed out the desire of the Russian side to strengthen partnership with the states of Southeast Asia. Later, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, said that the country had long ago made a U-turn towards Asia.