Kuala lumpur: Russia has expressed hope that Thailand and Cambodia will engage in negotiations to resolve their ongoing border dispute, as revealed by the Russian Ambassador to Thailand. The ambassador suggested that experts should be involved in discussions on border demarcation. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Prime Minister announced that both countries have agreed to participate in a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur next Monday.

According to Thai News Agency, Russian Ambassador to Thailand, Yevgeny Tomikhin, addressed the media regarding the escalating situation between Thailand and Cambodia. He emphasized the strong relations between Thailand and Russia, highlighting that Russia refrains from interfering in the internal affairs of friendly nations. Despite the regrettable loss of lives among soldiers and civilians, Russia remains optimistic about the two countries’ ability to collaboratively resolve their conflicts.

The ambassador further acknowledged that border issues are common in regions previously under colonial rule, such as Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, which were once under French control. The withdrawal of colonial powers often left behind borders drawn without proper consideration of the geographical realities, leading to ongoing disputes.

Tomikhin stressed the importance of clearly defined and meticulously recorded borders, noting the challenges posed by natural boundaries like rivers, which can change their courses over time. He cited the example of Russia and China, who conduct joint border surveys every decade to maintain clarity. He suggested that involving experts in the border discussions between Thailand and Cambodia could lead to a resolution, even if it takes a considerable amount of time, as was the case with Russia and China’s negotiation process.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim disclosed that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to attend the upcoming ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur, aimed at addressing the border tensions. Originally planned for December 16, the meeting was rescheduled to December 22 to allow more preparation time. Anwar expressed hope that the meeting would lead to a de-escalation of tensions, while noting the reluctance of both countries to use the term ‘ceasefire’ due to its implications. Instead, he urged respect for a ‘truce’ and mentioned the planned involvement of an ASEAN observer team and the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces in ongoing military-level discussions.