President Vladimir Putin arrived today for Russia's first summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), officials said.

Putin was to hold a working lunch with his counterparts from the 10 Asean countries followed by the summit, which was to be crowned by the signing of a joint declaration on what Russian officials called a "comprehensive partnership" between Russia and Asean.

On Wednesday, the Russian president was scheduled to make a brief speech to leaders of Asean and six other regional powers including China, India and Japan attending an inaugural East Asia Summit.

Russia's desire to attend that summit as a full member was rejected due to reticence among some Asean countries.