Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reminisced about hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin at his unfenced home in 2005, a visit that surprised Putin’s security team. Speaking to TIME magazine, Dr Mahathir said the two leaders had a four-hour discussion focused on development, trade, and Russia's shift from communism to capitalism.

Although Dr Mahathir initially discouraged the visit since he was no longer in office, Putin insisted, attending on invitation from Malaysia’s then-King.

Dr Mahathir also defended Russia over the Ukraine invasion, claiming the West and NATO provoked Moscow by expanding eastward after the fall of the Soviet Union. He argued NATO should have been dissolved and suggested Europe tends to “look for enemies,” pointing to Russia and Islamic nations.

He supported Malaysia’s engagement with Putin, saying he too would have met with the Russian leader, as current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did in Vladivostok last year.