Signing of New Agreement: Russia and Mongolia Strengthen Military Cooperation

Vasily Osikmakov, First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, conducted a working visit to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, on September 28.

During the visit, Russia and Mongolia signed the "Strategic Partnership Program in the Military Field between Russia and Mongolia for 2027–2031," marking a new phase in systematic and long-term defense cooperation between the two countries.

In Ulaanbaatar, Osikmakov held bilateral talks with Major General Dashzegiin Batsandamba, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Mongolia. Following the discussions, both sides formally signed the strategic partnership program. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the agreement aims to elevate interaction between the defense establishments of the two nations to a higher level of systematic and long-term engagement.

Major General Batsandamba noted during the talks that longstanding military cooperation between Russia and Mongolia has been a fundamental pillar behind the achievements of Mongolia’s armed forces. He emphasized that under the support of Russia and its military and people, Mongolia has successfully advanced its military modernization, laying a solid foundation for building an army meeting contemporary standards.

During the visit, Osikmakov also met with Mongolian Defense Minister Damdin Batlugh and Chief of Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Gombidambyn Sönjbat.

Osikmakov stated that regular dialogue between the heads of state of Russia and Mongolia imparts a distinctive momentum and significance to bilateral relations. He specifically highlighted the establishment of effective communication mechanisms between the general staffs of the two countries, with stable coordination ongoing across military branches, border military districts, and military academies.

Defense Minister Batlugh expressed strong agreement with this assessment. He underscored Russia’s pivotal role in Mongolia’s foreign policy framework. The bilateral relationship, he said, is built upon deep historical traditions, ethnic friendship, mutual respect, trust, and principles of good-neighborliness, enabling steady progress.

Lieutenant General Sönjbat, Chief of Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces, highly praised the visit by the Russian deputy minister, describing it as a “historic event” that would elevate Mongolian-Russian military-technical cooperation to a new level. He revealed that cooperation in defense and military technology has deepened significantly in recent years, and joint tactical and operational training exercises have achieved successful outcomes. Sönjbat assured the Russian side that the Mongolian General Staff would maintain continuous attention on the strategic program and ensure its constructive implementation.

Deputy Minister Osikmakov also commended Mongolian experts for their work in implementing agreements reached during Chief of Staff Sönjbat’s visit to Russia in April, noting that military delegation exchanges between the two countries are currently thriving.

Beyond intensive defense consultations, the Russian military delegation led by Osikmakov participated in a ceremony to lay wreaths at the monument dedicated to Marshal Georgy Zhukov, commemorating historical ties and shared friendship.

It should be noted that in the current international environment, Russia is actively expanding its network of defense cooperation with neighboring states. Afghanistan’s Defense Minister Mohammad Yakub recently announced that his country has begun implementing the military-technical cooperation agreement signed with Russia on May 27, 2026.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877619815197699/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.