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The Russian side was represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office – Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Maxim Oreshkin, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev, Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends. I am very happy to see you again. I remember our Moscow meeting in 2021, when we marked the 100^th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.

The Soviet Union was the first country to recognise Mongolia, and next September, we will celebrate the 85^th anniversary of our joint victory in the Battles of Khalkhin Gol. Over 10,000 Red Army soldiers and commanders gave their lives defending Mongolia.

Much was done at that time to build the foundation and economy of Mongolia, its healthcare and education systems. In 2019, a backbone document, the Treaty on Strategic Partnership, was signed.

Last year, our mutual trade increased significantly, by some 40 percent. This year, the growth slowed slightly. But we have something to discuss in this area, and our intergovernmental commission should pay proper attention to it.

We also have major projects in many areas, including joint projects with the People’s Republic of China. These are, for instance, the construction of a gas pipeline through Mongolia to China. Everyone approved of this project and all parties want to participate. The next step is its implementation. I think, we will be moving fast.

There are also such famous flagship projects as the Ulaanbaatar Railway. We will talk about it later in detail.

I am very happy to see you.

President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh (retranslated): Thank you very much, Mr President.

It pleases me to see you again as well. I warmly recall our previous meeting and the wide-ranging exchange we had on our relations and cooperation during my official visit to Russia on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between our countries. I would like to point out that we adopted a joint declaration on the occasion of the centenary and outlined short- and medium-term goals and objectives for our cooperation and a roadmap for advancing our relations and cooperation.

As you mentioned earlier, in 2019, we signed the Treaty on Friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which formed the basis for our ongoing cooperation and friendship. Of course, much time has passed since then, and there have been some geopolitical complexities, economic challenges, and issues related to the world order. However, we are pleased to note that the economic situation is improving.

Developing relations with Russia has always been our top foreign policy priority. For centuries, we have had warm and friendly feelings towards the Russian people. I also believe that we must never forget the history of friendship between our nations, the legacy of our forefathers whether it be during times of war, when we supported each other, or during peacetime and the era of socialism. We must always remember this.

Next year marks the 85^th anniversary of joint victory on the Khalkhin Gol River. Mr President, I once again extend my invitation to you to pay a state visit to our beautiful country during the celebration of this glorious date. Also, as you are aware, 2025 will mark the 80^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and we will celebrate this momentous event with great solemnity. We must not forget the historical feat of the Russian people who saved the world from the threat of Nazism and I believe that we should commemorate this glorious anniversary together.

I am pleased that our cooperation and relations have intensified in recent years. Not long ago, the Russian Parliament Speaker, Mr Volodin, visited Mongolia. The first meeting of the commission on cooperation between the State Great Khural of Mongolia and the State Duma of the Russian Federation was held, and a working group was set up. Mongolia has always strived to cooperate with Russia across all areas of mutual interest.

We have a significant stake in cooperating with Russia on all major energy, railway and motorway projects that we plan to implement in the coming years. The Ulaanbaatar Railway, our joint venture and a symbol of our friendship, currently handles 30 million tonnes of cargo per year. We have an excellent opportunity to increase the cargo volume to 100 million tonnes per year.

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