President of Russia Vladimir Putin met with President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Bishkek. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
The Russian delegation included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office – Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Russian Co-Chair of the Russia-Mongolia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation Alexander Kozlov, Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, CEO – Chairman of the Management Board of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov, and Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Alexei Likhachev.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends, I am very pleased to meet with you again.
Russia and Mongolia’s strategic partnership is based on long-standing traditions of good-neighbourliness, friendship, and understanding of each other’s interests. This year, specifically on November 5, we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations. That’s a momentous timeframe.
In 2025, trade increased by 4.5 percent. We are also seeing positive results this year: it grew by more than 18 percent over the first six months. This is a good number.
The Russia-Mongolia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation is working actively, and, in my opinion, it is working hard and with success.
I hope that the interim trade agreement between the EAEU and Mongolia that entered into force in July 2026 will provide preferential treatment for Mongolian traditional exports across the customs territory of our association.
We cooperate constructively within multilateral organisations and forums, as our positions on many pressing international issues are aligned or close.
Today, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit was held successfully and productively. Mongolia participated in it as an observer, and now, in accordance with the decision adopted, it will receive partner state status.
We maintain regular contact, and if necessary, we can always speak by telephone. I am always at your disposal.
I am very glad to see you.
President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh (retranslated): Thank you, Mr Putin.
I am delighted to meet with you again. A year ago, in 2025, I attended the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War at your invitation.
You have also mentioned that this year we will mark 105 years of our diplomatic relations. It is true that we have a long history of friendly relations. Over these 105 years, we have made a substantial contribution to the development and strengthening of our bilateral relations and cooperation. The history of our bilateral relations is really remarkable.
A regional Russia-Mongolia forum will be held soon, in September and October, in Ulaanbaatar. As you know, last year it was held very successfully in Irkutsk, and we believe that this year’s forum will greatly contribute to the development of our bilateral relations.
Also, about 30 events have been held to celebrate the 105th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.
Our government is closely monitoring the implementation of the agreements we have reached during our previous meetings. More bilateral visits have recently been held at various levels, including between heads of state and government. We are certainly giving priority attention to our bilateral relations.
You have also mentioned that our trade and economic ties are improving yet the trade imbalance exists to this day. As we see it, this problem can be settled by the Interim Free Trade Agreement between Mongolia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). We pin big hopes on and pay special attention to this. Mr Putin, you have made a significant and invaluable contribution to the signing of that agreement, for which we are deeply grateful.
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