Leading the Indonesian delegation, Sugiono was received upon arrival by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vasil Shaykhraziev, in a formal welcome ceremony that included the traditional offering of bread and salt, a customary gesture of hospitality in Russia.

Marking the 35th anniversary of relations between Russia and ASEAN, the talks in Kazan will open on Wednesday with a Russia-ASEAN business forum, according to a statement from the Kremlin. It will be followed by a leaders-level meeting on Thursday that is expected to yield a Kazan declaration and a new Russia-ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action.

“At the meeting, attending leaders will review the strategic partnership between Russia and ASEAN and outline new avenues for cooperation in politics, economy, and cultural and humanitarian affairs,” the Kremlin statement said. 

Sugiono arrived alongside several other Southeast Asian representatives that same morning, including Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.

Several other ASEAN leaders have also confirmed their attendance at the Kazan summit, including Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to also hold a series of bilateral meetings with ASEAN counterparts on the sidelines.

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