Moscow, January 16, 2026: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday described relations between Russia and Pakistan as “genuinely mutually beneficial,” highlighting the close cooperation between Moscow and Islamabad.
“We maintain close cooperation with Pakistan, a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the largest regional organisation in terms of economic, technological, and human potential. Russia-Pakistan relations are genuinely mutually beneficial,” President Putin said, as quoted by the Russian Embassy in Pakistan on X.
The remarks came during a ceremony at Moscow’s Grand Kremlin Palace, where Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, formally presented his credentials to the Russian President.
In recent years, Pakistan and Russia have strengthened economic ties, driven by mutual interests. Following Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict, Russia sought new energy outlets, while Pakistan looked for affordable fuel sources to reduce import costs. This led to Pakistan officially integrating Russian crude oil into its energy portfolio in 2023.
Last month, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed ongoing discussions with Moscow regarding a potential new oil-sector agreement. Pakistan, which imports around 70% of its crude oil, has primarily relied on Russian supplies, even as it maintains lower tariffs and close ties with the United States.
In November 2025, during a visit by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev to Islamabad for the 10th Russia-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in trade, energy, business-to-business engagements, and social sectors such as health and education.
The presentation of credentials and President Putin’s remarks underscore a continued strategic and economic rapprochement between Pakistan and Russia.
