Federated States of Micronesia–Russia relations

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Federated States of Micronesia–Russia relations
Federated States of Micronesia-Russia Locator.svg
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Micronesia 		Flag of Russia.svg
Russia
Diplomatic mission
No mission Russian ambassador to the Philippines (1999–2022)
Envoy
NoneMarat Pavlov (last)

The Federated States of Micronesia and Russia have maintained unofficial relations since March 1999. [1]

Overview

Until February 2022, the Russian ambassador to the Philippines acted as chargé d'affaires for Micronesia, with the Russian Foreign Ministry hosting frequent meetings with the Pacific island nations. [2] President David Panuelo severed relations with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. [3] [4]

In the economic area, Russia exported refined petroleum to the FSM and imported motor vehicles (parts and accessories). Between February 2020 and February 2021, Russia did not export anything to the FSM, with the FSM selling an export worth of $508 million. [5]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Pacific islands representatives during the seventy-fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019 in New York City. Lavrov highlighted cooperation between Russia and several of the region's countries, and said that Pacific diplomatic personnel (including Micronesians) were taking courses at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. [6]

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, further escalating the Russo-Ukrainian war. [7] [8] President David Panuelo, who was travelling from Pohnpei State to Yap State, decided to suspend and sever relations between FSM and Russia, saying that Russia had "brutally and unjustifiably" invaded Ukraine, adding that the FSM recognized Ukraine's right to defend its sovereignty. [9] The FSM was the second country to cut ties with Russia as a consequence of the war. [9] Panuelo maintained a strong position against Russia until the end of his term in May 2023, criticizing Russia at the UN, labelling Vladimir Putin a "villain", and asking for Russia's suspension from the United Nations Security Council. [9] [10] [11]

In March 2022, Panuelo wrote a letter to Xi Jinping, asking China to mediate for a ceasefire and withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. He argued that the world had sacrificed million of lives in both World Wars and accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine. [12] He added that the FSM government and people did not have any animosity toward Russians. [9] Panuelo's successor, Wesley Simina, has maintained the FSM condemnation of Russia, expressing solidarity with Ukraine. [13]

Also in March 2022, the Russian government issued the "unfriendly countries and territories list", and included the Federated States of Micronesia as one of them. [14] [15] [16]

References

  1. ↑ "Countries With Which the Federated States of Micronesia Has Established Diplomatic Relations". FSM Government. 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  2. ↑ "Микронезия разорвала дипотношения с Россией из-за Украины" [Micronesia has severed diplomatic relations with Russia over Ukraine.]. RBK Group (in Russian). 25 February 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  3. ↑ "Russia-Ukraine conflict to impact Pacific economies - USP academic". Radio New Zealand . 26 February 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "Federated States Of Micronesia Breaks Ties With Russia Over Ukraine War". Barron's . AFP. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "Russia / Micronesia". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "Вступительное слово Министра иностранных дел России С.В.Лаврова в ходе встречи с высокими представителями малых островных государств южной части Тихого океана «на полях» 74-й сессии Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН, Нью-Йорк" [Opening remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a meeting with high-level representatives of small island states of the South Pacific on the sidelines of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, New York]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in Russian). 26 September 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "Russian forces launch full-scale invasion of Ukraine". Al Jazeera. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  8. ↑ Ellyatt, Holly (24 February 2022). "Russian forces invade Ukraine". CNBC . Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "FSM is the second country to sever diplomatic ties with Russia – exclusive comments by the President". Transatlantic Dialogue Center . 12 May 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "REMARKS: FSM President Panuelo Statement to the UNGA77". Pacific Islands Forum . 23 September 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "FSM severs diplomatic relations with Russia". Island Times. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "David W. Panuelo Appeal to Xi Jinping". FSM Embassy. Palikir, FSM. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "President Wesley W. Simina received Credentials of the first Ambassador of Romania to the Federated States of Micronesia, Her Excellency Răduţa Dana Matache". FSM Government. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries and territories". TASS . 7 March 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "Russia Adds Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia To List Of 'Unfriendly Nations'". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 22 July 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  16. ↑ "Russia issues list of 'unfriendly' countries amid Ukraine crisis". Al Jazeera. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
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