HIS Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, was received by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Hermitage Museum on Thursday, in a gesture highlighting the significance Russia attaches to its relationship with the Malaysian monarch.
According to a statement posted on Sultan Ibrahim’s official Facebook page, the visit to the Hermitage, regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious museums, reflected “the highest regard in which the Russian Federation holds for the friendship between the two Heads of State”.
The Hermitage, founded in 1755, is one of the largest and oldest art and cultural museums globally, housing more than three million works of art and historical artefacts.
“His Majesty spent time, accompanied by President Putin, viewing part of the historic collection of world-class pieces of art on display at the museum.
“Sultan Ibrahim is on his maiden visit to St Petersburg on the invitation of Putin, reflecting the importance of the Malaysian Royal Institution as a catalyst of national diplomacy,” the post said.
Photographs shared on social media showed Sultan Ibrahim and Putin touring the museum together and viewing selected artworks from its permanent collection.
The St Petersburg visit follows Sultan Ibrahim’s state visit to Moscow last August, which marked a historic milestone as he became the first Malaysian Ruler to undertake such a visit since Malaysia and Russia established diplomatic relations in 1967. - January 27, 2026
