Russia-Cambodia friendship, 70 years on

Russian Ambassador to Cambodia Anatoly Borovik addresses a press conference at the Russian Embassy in Phnom Penh, in 2025. KT/Noun Soksarim

#opinion

Seventy years ago, the Soviet Union and the Kingdom of Cambodia established diplomatic relations, laying the foundation for a partnership that has withstood the test of time. Throughout decades marked by profound global and regional changes, Russia and Cambodia have preserved relations built on mutual respect, trust, and sincere friendship between our peoples.

The history of bilateral ties is inseparable from the Soviet Union’s support for Cambodia during one of the most difficult periods in its modern history.

Following the liberation of the country from the Khmer Rouge regime, the USSR actively contributed to Cambodia’s recovery and development. Soviet assistance played an important role in rebuilding infrastructure, supporting healthcare and education, and training national specialists. Many symbols of that cooperation remain well known in Cambodia today, including the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia. The latter has become an important centre for training specialists and contributed greatly to Cambodia’s socio-economic development.

More than 8,000 Cambodian students received higher education in Soviet and later Russian universities, mastering professions in engineering, medicine, economics, agriculture, and many other fields essential for national development. Many graduates continue to contribute to Cambodia’s development while serving as a living bridge of friendship between our nations.

If our shared past is a source of pride, then our shared future is a source of inspiration. Today, Russia and Cambodia continue to maintain an active political dialogue characterised by openness and mutual understanding. High-level contacts regularly take place on the sidelines of major regional and international events. One of the highlights of 2025 was the meeting between HE Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, and Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October last year.

Inter-party exchanges also remain an important avenue of dialogue. In November 2024, HE Andrey Klimov, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, Member of the Bureau of the Supreme Council of the All-Russian Political Party “United Russia”, led the delegation at the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Phnom Penh.

Cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries has also been developing steadily. Professional exchanges, educational programmes, and institutional dialogue contribute to strengthening mutual understanding and sharing experience on issues of common concern. A milestone in this sphere was the visit to Cambodia by HE Igor Krasnov, then-Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, which gave additional impetus to bilateral interaction.

The economic sphere stands out as a priority for future growth. Despite challenges affecting the global economy, both countries are exploring new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, agriculture, food security, energy, pharmaceuticals, transport, and advanced technologies.

The Intergovernmental Russian-Cambodian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation continues to play a central coordinating role in advancing these efforts. We also attach importance to strengthening dialogue between Cambodia and the Eurasian Economic Union, opening new prospects for trade and economic connectivity.

Relations in the field of defence and security are also developing positively. I am pleased to note that the visits of Russian warships to Cambodian ports have become a hallmark of our defence relations. The most recent such visit took place in April this year, when two corvettes, the Sovershenny and the Rezky, docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.

Cultural and educational exchanges continue to bring the peoples of Russia and Cambodia closer together. Russia remains committed to providing state scholarships for Cambodian students, while cultural initiatives organised by the Russian Embassy and the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Phnom Penh help introduce Russian history, art, and traditions to Cambodian audiences. “The Days of Russian Culture in Cambodia” in March clearly demonstrated the strong interest of the Cambodian public in Russian culture. At the same time, Cambodia’s rich historical heritage and unique traditions attract growing numbers of Russian visitors, creating new opportunities for tourism and people-to-people contacts.

The 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations is a symbol of continuity, resilience and confidence in the future. Over these decades, Russia and Cambodia have accumulated valuable experience of cooperation founded on equality, trust and respect for national sovereignty. These principles remain highly relevant today, particularly in the context of ongoing transformations in global politics and economics.

In this regard, I am gratified to note that Cambodia frequently voices its support for resolutions initiated by our country on a wide range of issues on the international agenda. Our delegations maintain regular contact within the UN framework, enabling us to coordinate our positions and develop joint approaches on a range of matters. A significant occasion was the meeting between HE Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and HE Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom, on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the aforementioned UNGA Session.

Another meeting between the heads of the Foreign Ministries took place in Kuala Lumpur in July 2025 on the sidelines of the ASEAN annual ministerial events. By championing sovereign values within the framework of the Russia-ASEAN partnership and other regional architectures, we are working to ensure that the Asia-Pacific remains a zone of peace and cooperation, free from the bloc-thinking of the past. For Russia and Cambodia, the fight against neocolonialism in the 21st century means defending the right of every nation to choose its own political and economic destiny without external coercion. As we celebrate seven decades of friendship, we reaffirm our commitment to building a global governance system that is democratic, inclusive, and strictly grounded in international law, ensuring that the voices of the “Global Majority” are heard and respected.

I do believe that the Russia-Cambodia partnership will continue to grow stronger, contributing to the prosperity of our peoples, as well as to the promotion of a more just and stable world order based on international law, sovereign equality and genuine multilateralism.

HE Anatoly Borovik is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

-Khmer Times-