SINGAPORE/MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will for the first time attend the East Asia Summit, to be held in Singapore on Thursday, as he looks to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia in the shadows of the U.S. and China.
Putin aims to boost arms and energy trade with the region, where Beijing and Washington are striving to extend their influence. Moscow is also seeking new partners to help offset the pressure of Western sanctions over its annexation of Crimea.
