Tianjin, September 2, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the China–Tianjin Forum, with both leaders reaffirming their resolve to strengthen Pakistan–Russia relations and expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed gratitude to President Putin for inviting him to Russia, saying he would be “very happy” to undertake the visit. He credited Putin’s “personal interest” for steering bilateral ties in the right direction and stressed that Pakistan is committed to elevating the relationship to “new heights.”
“Our oil imports from Russia have boosted trade, and the protocols we have signed will enhance collaboration in agriculture, steel, energy, and transport. Together, these steps reflect our firm commitment to building a strong partnership,” the prime minister said. He added that Islamabad seeks relations that are complementary and future-oriented, contributing to the prosperity and stability of the wider region.
Highlighting the progress of the past year, Shehbaz noted that trade between the two countries had grown significantly, particularly after Pakistan began importing crude oil from Russia. He stressed that both sides were working on expanding cooperation in agriculture, energy, transport, and other key sectors.
President Putin, while acknowledging the devastation caused by recent floods in Pakistan, expressed solidarity with the Pakistani people and reiterated Russia’s commitment to enhancing what he described as “excellent” bilateral relations.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, reflecting the high-level nature of the engagement.
Recalling his earlier meeting with President Putin in Astana, Shehbaz said subsequent high-level exchanges between Islamabad and Moscow had reinforced the momentum of trust and understanding. “Pakistan has made very serious and sincere efforts to develop bilateral relations, and we look forward to building on this partnership,” he said.
The talks are expected to pave the way for greater collaboration in energy, trade, and infrastructure development, marking a renewed push in Islamabad’s engagement with Moscow.
