Outgoing Russian ambassador to Cambodia Dimitry Tsvetkov said on Monday that Russia would help the Kingdom combat fake news, encourage the signing of a free trade agreement, and provide medicine to counter the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

He said this as he bid goodbye to Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace after six years of service, according to Hun Sen’s Facebook page.

During Tsvetkov’s tenure, Cambodia and Russia signed 52 documents, with 14 agreements being under elaboration.

In a Facebook post, Hun Sen said: “More than this, His Excellency [Russian ambassador] informed Samdech Techo [Hun Sen] that in the future, Russia will provide assistance to Cambodia, especially with combating fake news and will lend support to Cambodia through a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

“His Excellency also informed Samdech Techo [Hun Sen] that Russia is preparing to send medicine to Cambodia to help fight against Covid-19.”

National police spokesperson Chhay Kim Khoeun said many countries have collaborated to combat fake news, using information exchange and training.

“We have collaborated in exchanging information to combat cybercrime, but Cambodia hasn’t received any materials,” he said.

Kin Phea, the director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia said combating fake news was on every country’s agenda. He referenced US President Donald Trump, whom he said has spoken of the issue almost every day.

He said: “I find that Russia understands the risk stemming from fake news. Cambodian-Russian relations are improving. It is like relations of historical alliances in the past. We need to help one another. ”

The Russian Embassy in Phnom Penh did not respond to The Post’s requests via e-mail for comment on Tuesday.