Why Wong-Putin meet doesn’t mean Singapore’s going soft on Russia

AI Summary

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's visit to Russia as part of an ASEAN delegation to meet President Vladimir Putin was seen as a pragmatic move amid ongoing sanctions. Analysts noted Singapore's strategic role as ASEAN chair next year and the region's pursuit of energy security as key factors behind the engagement.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s trip to Russia as part of an Asean delegation to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin despite the city state’s ongoing sanctions against Moscow was a pragmatic move, analysts said. They pointed to considerations such as the island republic’s role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, on top of the region’s search for energy security. Wong met Putin in Kazan for the first time on the sidelines of the Asean-Russia Commemorative...