Prime Minister Hun Manet and his predecessor Hun Sen, who remains president of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), have issued congratulatory messages to Russian President Vladimir Putin on re-election for a fifth term.

Putin claimed 87.3 per cent of the ballots in the three-day presidential vote, on a turnout of 77.5 per cent, according to the result announced by Russia’s Central Election Commission on March 18.

In a March 20 statement, Manet described Putin’s triumph as both a testament and acknowledgement of the “successes, accomplishments, and greatness” he has brought to his nation.

He said Cambodia and Russia have enjoyed a warm relationship for nearly seven decades, based on traditional ties of “warm and genuine friendship, bound by a strong sense of political trust, mutual respect and understanding, shared values, and common interests”. 

The premier expressed his strong belief that both sides will be able to leverage the full potential of cooperation and partnership, in existing and future practical areas.

“On behalf of the Cambodian government, I stand ready to work closely with you and the Russian government to herald a new era of more fertile and enhanced Cambodia-Russia relations for the best interests of our peoples, bringing to fruition our efforts toward achieving peace, harmony and prosperity for our regions and the world,” he said. 

“Cambodia highly values and deeply cherishes its traditional and friendly ties with Russia, established under the aegis of mutual respect and understanding, shared values, and common interests,” stated Hun Sen in his March 19 open letter to Putin.

“For almost seven decades, our two countries have basked in the glory of mutual political trust, which has been the foundation supporting our states’ conduct, resonating deeply across all spheres of cooperation.

“In my capacity as president of the CPP, I would like to reiterate my readiness to work closely with you and your colleagues to further promote relations between our ruling parties and state institutions for the mutual interests of our nations and peoples,” he added.

Last year, the CPP issued a flexible foreign policy plan, which they described as reflecting their efforts to adapt to the dynamic geopolitical landscape, which is shaped by competitive influences of the world’s major powers.

The policy was publicised in July, when the CPP won a landslide general election. It explained that the 2023-28 policy essentially extended the previous programme, which spanned the 2018-23 period.

“Cambodia will maintain the continued implementation of an independent foreign policy which is based on the law and respect for the rules, purposes, and principles outlined in the UN and ASEAN charters,” said the document.

While he was in office as prime minister, Hun Sen said he was against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Cambodia was co-sponsor of a UN resolution opposing the aggression, made after the war broke out on February 24, 2022. However, he also opposed the sanctions placed on Russia by the West, as he believed this had a domino effect on other countries, particularly through the global economy.

Hun Sen explained at the time that he had never supported the use or threat of force by one country on another, and urged all parties involved to negotiate a peaceful end to their conflict.

Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, said Hun Sen and Manet’s congratulatory letters reflect the close ties between the CPP and Putin’s ruling United Russia Party.

“The CPP, as well as the government, have pledged to maintain good relations with Russia. Russia is a key and trusted partner. Both countries respect each other’s sovereignty, independence and mutual interests, as well as support for global issues,” he added.

Phea explained that the letters reflect Cambodia’s diplomatic diversification with many countries around the world, without discrimination on the basis of political affiliation or economic status. 

“Cambodia respects the sovereignty of all countries, as well as the choices their people make,” he said.

Russian diplomats extended their congratulations to Manet when he was elected prime minister of Cambodia last July. 

In January, Hun Sen met with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now chairman of the United Russia Party, for a 20-minute virtual discussion on bilateral and multilateral cooperation between their respective parties.