Singapore’s PM Meets Putin Despite Sanctions: Pragmatic or Weak?

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan, Russia, as part of an Asean delegation. The meeting occurred even though Singapore maintains sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Analysts say the move is pragmatic, not a shift in policy. They point to two main reasons. First, Singapore will chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) next year. This role requires engaging with all major partners, including Russia. Second, the region is seeking energy security, and Russia is a key supplier. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit. It was the first face-to-face meeting between Wong and Putin.