Jun 26, 2026 – 4.52pmRussia is making a fresh play for influence in the region, with Timor-Leste embracing closer ties with Moscow, raising concerns the Kremlin is seeking to expand its footprint just hundreds of kilometres from Australia’s northern coastline.Russian president Vladimir Putin met Timor-Leste’s prime minister Xanana Gusmao on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Special Summit in the Russian city of Kazan last week, with the pair pledging to co-operate more deeply on oil and gas exploration and negotiate a number of unspecified bilateral commitments.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles