(Moscow, 4th) Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith made an official visit to Russia from July 30 to August 1 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two sides reached consensus on cooperation in multiple fields and signed seven cooperation agreements covering key areas such as nuclear energy, public health, education, and legal assistance.
This was Thongloun's first visit to Russia since taking office as president and also marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and Russia. The relationship between the two nations dates back to the Soviet era. During the talks, both sides highly praised the achievements of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and expressed their commitment to further deepening cooperation in politics, security, defense, economy, trade, education, and tourism.
According to Russia's TASS News Agency, among the seven documents signed by the two countries is a roadmap for cooperation in nuclear energy. Laos hopes to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes to reduce its overreliance on hydropower and achieve a diversified energy structure.
Additionally, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in health and epidemic prevention, which will involve joint research on infectious diseases, technical and material assistance, professional training, and joint participation in relevant international conferences.
Other agreements include: a criminal judicial assistance agreement, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in water resource protection, cooperation in secondary education, and cooperation and exchange agreements between universities. The latter involves Russia’s Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), National University of Laos, and the Lao Academy of International Relations.
President Putin stated during the meeting that Russia plans to expand rail and sea freight transport with Laos, considering transporting goods via Vietnamese ports to Vladivostok, and exploring the possibility of rail transport via China.
Data shows that in 2024, Russia-Laos trade volume grew by 66%, and from January to May 2025, it increased by another 20% year-on-year. Both sides agreed that this shows the great potential of bilateral cooperation.
President Thongloun expressed sincere gratitude to Russia for its assistance in human resource development, noting that the continuous increase in scholarships offered by Russia to Lao students each year is a concrete embodiment of the friendship between the two countries.
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties, President Thongloun specially presented a pair of elephants—considered Laos' "national treasure"—to President Putin and the Russian people. He hopes the elephants can be housed in Saint Petersburg Zoo, “where I once studied, making it especially meaningful,” he said.
Putin expressed his thanks and joked, “They will come in handy.”
During the visit, Thongloun also held talks with Dmitry Medvedev, chairman of Russia’s ruling party “United Russia,” and cordially invited President Putin to visit Laos at an appropriate time to continue promoting high-level exchanges and strategic mutual trust between the two countries.
According to Russia's TASS News Agency, among the seven documents signed by the two countries is a roadmap for cooperation in nuclear energy. Laos hopes to develop nuclear power for peaceful purposes to reduce its overreliance on hydropower and achieve a diversified energy structure.
Additionally, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in health and epidemic prevention, which will involve joint research on infectious diseases, technical and material assistance, professional training, and joint participation in relevant international conferences.
Other agreements include: a criminal judicial assistance agreement, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in water resource protection, cooperation in secondary education, and cooperation and exchange agreements between universities. The latter involves Russia’s Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), National University of Laos, and the Lao Academy of International Relations.
President Putin stated during the meeting that Russia plans to expand rail and sea freight transport with Laos, considering transporting goods via Vietnamese ports to Vladivostok, and exploring the possibility of rail transport via China.
Data shows that in 2024, Russia-Laos trade volume grew by 66%, and from January to May 2025, it increased by another 20% year-on-year. Both sides agreed that this shows the great potential of bilateral cooperation.
President Thongloun expressed sincere gratitude to Russia for its assistance in human resource development, noting that the continuous increase in scholarships offered by Russia to Lao students each year is a concrete embodiment of the friendship between the two countries.
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties, President Thongloun specially presented a pair of elephants—considered Laos' "national treasure"—to President Putin and the Russian people. He hopes the elephants can be housed in Saint Petersburg Zoo, “where I once studied, making it especially meaningful,” he said.
Putin expressed his thanks and joked, “They will come in handy.”
During the visit, Thongloun also held talks with Dmitry Medvedev, chairman of Russia’s ruling party “United Russia,” and cordially invited President Putin to visit Laos at an appropriate time to continue promoting high-level exchanges and strategic mutual trust between the two countries.