Russia, Malaysia Trade Ties Set To Boom As Direct Flights Are Set To Take Off and Trade Increases 32%

The Russian Ministry of Transport has said that direct flight connectivity between Moscow, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and the resort destination of Langkawi is expected to launch during Q1 2026, with the country already preparing to welcome visitors from Russia. The Malaysian government has produced a special “Visit Malaysia 2026” international tourism campaign, with attracting visitors from Russia a major component of this initiative, which aims to attract 47 million travelers. Foreign tourists, including Russians, will be offered significant discounts on hotel bookings, shopping, spas, and other tourist attractions, various festivals throughout the year, and new excursion programmes. Russian nationals do not require visas to visit Malaysia.

Currently, flights to Malaysia are expensive and time-consuming, so the launch of direct flights will stimulate travelers. The Malaysian Ambassador to Russia, Cheong Loon Lai, has announced that direct flights would begin with Russian airline Red Wings from Moscow to Langkawi, a popular tourist archipelago, and that the geographic range could expand later. The possibility of launching flights from cities in the Russian Far East, as well as to Kuala Lumpur, will depend on overall demand.

The Ministry of Transport said that the frequency depends primarily on the formation of tourist flows. “Direct flights will significantly simplify travel for citizens of both countries. Tour operators expect to increase traffic to Langkawi by 20-30%.

Dmitry Mosyakov, the head of the Center for Southeast Asian, Australian, and Oceanian Studies and a member of the Academic Council of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has commented, “Getting to Malaysia is long and difficult. The launch of direct flights will certainly have a positive impact on tourist flow; it will increase significantly. Malaysia is a tourist destination, a wonderful vacation spot. Furthermore, Kuala Lumpur is a modern, large city with numerous attractions. The launch of direct flights will be a breakthrough for our countries.”

Mosyakov added that there are also business and trade opportunities. “The technology sector there, like in Singapore, is highly developed. Kuala Lumpur is a very progressive city, and Malaysia is a high-tech country.”

Malaysia’s Supreme Leader, King Sultan Ibrahim stated during a visit to Moscow In August 2025 that “We perceive Russia as a partner we can trust.”

The two countries maintain close ties in various areas of bilateral cooperation. By November 2025, trade turnover between Russia and Malaysia had grown by 32%, implying an overall 2025 bilateral trade turnover for the year of US$4.24 billion. Specifically, the two sides managed to increase trade in chemical products. Russian fertilizer exports from January to August increased by 124% compared to the same period in 2024. Moscow and Kuala Lumpur managed to agree on a halal veterinary certificate for the export of chicken and turkey as well as open access for Russian dairy products.

The two sides also have promising economic projects. Cooperation is primarily developing in high technology, innovation, and the trade of electronic components. Several Russian companies are already selling their technology products and implementing innovative solutions in Malaysia, including cybersecurity products.

Malaysia is also simplifying the process of financial settlements with Russia through relevant institutions, including the central bank. This could provide an additional boost to trade relations between the two countries.

Cooperation in the energy sector is also developing. In May 2025, during talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia sees prospects for joint projects in the gas and civilian nuclear sectors.

Russia is ready to build large-capacity nuclear power plants and small modular reactors in Malaysia, as well as increase energy supplies. As a first step, Moscow is prepared to offer Malaysia a small-scale floating nuclear power plant and train personnel to operate it, Russian Ambassador to Malaysia Nail Latypov has stated. Russia’s experience in this area is unique, as it is the only country in the world already building and operating such facilities.

President Putin said that “Energy is a key area of bilateral cooperation. The Malaysian oil and gas concern Petronas is a shareholder in Rosneft, and Gazprom is developing a partnership with the company. Russia supplies significant volumes of petroleum products and coal to the Malaysian market. We see potential for joint projects in the gas sector and in the use of nuclear energy.”

Equally important, Kuala Lumpur is interested in cooperating with Moscow through international organizations in which Russia plays a leading role. In particular, Malaysia, already a BRICS partner country, wants to upgrade its status to full membership. 2026 promises to be another year of increasing tourism, trade and investment ties.