Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here today, Overchuk said Russia’s trade with Malaysia is growing again this year after a small decline in 2024.

“We’ve discussed our trade, which is growing quite well after a small decline last year. We also talked about cooperation in energy sectors and introduced our initiatives to develop logistics and supply chains between the north and south of Eurasia,” he said.

Overchuk said Russia saw Southeast Asia as a key partner as the global economic centre shifts towards the region.

“We believe that our trade and economic relations can be mutually beneficial,” he said, adding that sanctions “simply exist”, but have not deterred Moscow from pursuing stronger connectivity with Asean.

On nuclear cooperation, Overchuk said Russia is ready to share its decades of expertise in nuclear power generation with interested Asean nations, including Malaysia.

“Nuclear power is a clean and sustainable source that doesn’t depend on the power of wind or availability of sunlight. It’s a prerequisite for modern economic growth,” he said.

He said Asean nations had also shown interest in exploring nuclear collaboration with Russia, underscoring the bloc’s growing role in shaping future clean energy partnerships.

Overchuk also said Russia is currently the only country operating a small modular reactor and is building another, with plans to export the technology to Asia.

Recently, energy transition and water transformation minister Fadillah Yusof said the government planned to explore nuclear energy for power generation under the 13th Malaysia Plan as part of its clean energy strategy.

The initiative would be coordinated by the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation under MyPower Corporation.

In June, the corporation formalised a nondisclosure agreement with Russia’s Rosatom Energy Projects to facilitate strategic knowledge sharing on nuclear energy technologies, including a floating nuclear power plant.