ISLAMABAD: Russian President Vladimir Putin has described Moscow’s relations with Pakistan as “genuinely mutually beneficial,” underscoring the close cooperation between the two countries, the Russian Embassy in Pakistan reported on X.
The remarks came during a ceremony at Moscow’s Grand Kremlin Palace on Thursday, when Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, formally presented his credentials to President Putin.
Putin highlighted Pakistan’s role as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the region’s largest bloc in terms of economic, technological, and human potential, emphasizing that Russia and Pakistan maintain strong bilateral cooperation.
Economic and energy ties have strengthened significantly in recent years. Following Western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict, Russia sought new energy markets, while Pakistan aimed to secure more affordable fuel.
This partnership culminated in 2023 when Pakistan officially added Russian crude oil to its energy portfolio. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb recently confirmed ongoing talks on a new potential oil-sector agreement.
Despite importing 70 percent of its crude oil from Russia, Pakistan has maintained favorable trade terms with Washington, even as India faced punitive tariffs last year.
In November 2025, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev visited Islamabad for the 10th Russia-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission, where both nations pledged to deepen cooperation across trade, energy, business, and social sectors such as health and education.
