, June 18 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hosted leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a bid to strengthen economic and political ties with the regional bloc.

The two-day meeting is taking place in Kazan and is focused on expanding Russia's "strategic partnership" with ASEAN members, which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam, according to Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.

Ushakov said ASEAN has long maintained relations with Russia as a "dialogue partner" and has engaged in annual high-level meetings. This year's summit marks 35 years of Russia-ASEAN relations.

In a message to a business forum he...