His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, is currently on a special official visit to Saint Petersburg, Russia. Today, His Majesty visited the Smolny Complex and other historic sites as part of a mission to strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and Russia. The visit highlights Malaysia's proactive "people-to-people" diplomacy, focusing on long-term cooperation in higher education and technology.

The King’s itinerary includes meetings with Russian educational authorities to discuss scholarship opportunities for Malaysian students. Russia has become an increasingly popular destination for Malaysians pursuing degrees in medicine and aviation. This visit is expected to result in several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that will facilitate easier student mobility and research collaboration.

Sultan Ibrahim’s visit is also seen as a gesture of Malaysia’s balanced foreign policy, maintaining strong relationships with global powers across the East and West. The visit has been well-received in Russia, with local media highlighting the historical significance of the Malaysian monarch’s presence. His Majesty is expected to conclude the visit later this week.