The key facts

  • The Sultan of Brunei's visit is scheduled for the end of November 2026, with the exact date still being clarified
  • In June 2026, Bolkiah already came to Kazan for the Russia — ASEAN summit
  • Vladimir Putin visited Brunei in 2000 during the APEC summit

The planned visit

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is expected to travel to Russia at the end of November, the country's ambassador in Moscow, Husaini Alauddin, told TASS. According to the diplomat, the exact date of the visit is still being discussed, meaning this concerns an announced plan rather than a confirmed schedule.

Context of previous contacts

Bolkiah has visited Russia repeatedly on official visits and at international forums. His most recent visit was in June 2026 in Kazan — for the Russia — ASEAN summit, while Vladimir Putin visited Brunei in 2000 during the APEC summit. Thus, the November visit will be another in a series of regular bilateral and multilateral contacts, not the sultan's first visit to Russia.

Background information

ASEAN has existed since 1967 and unites ten Southeast Asian countries, including Brunei; since the beginning of 2026, the Philippines has held the association's chairmanship. APEC brings together 21 economies of the Asia-Pacific region. Separately, Gazeta.Ru notes that the sultan earlier stripped his daughter-in-law of all her titles — this is a domestic event in Brunei, unrelated to the visit.