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East Timor–Russia relations (Russian: Российско-восточнотиморские отношения) are the bilateral relations between East Timor and Russia. Neither country has a resident ambassador. Russia was one of the first countries to recognize East Timor’s independence and took part in nearly all UN aid programs, providing food and relief personnel, including civil and transport aviation pilots.
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Diplomatic ties
On 20 May 2002, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an ukaz recognising the independence of East Timor, and instructed the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish diplomatic relations with the newly independent state. On 24 June 2002, Alexander Vladimirovich Yakovenko of the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that following negotiations with East Timorese representatives, it was confirmed that Russia had established diplomatic relations with East Timor. Russia is represented in East Timor through its embassy in Jakarta (Indonesia).
Political ties
After the attempted assassination of East Timorese President José Ramos-Horta on 11 February 2008, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing concern over developments in East Timor and called for political stability.
Humanitarian ties
In June 2001, Russian airline TyumenAviaTrans (now known as UTair), was awarded a one-year contract to supply the United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor with helicopter support utilising the Mil Mi-26, in a contract worth US$6.5 million.