In a dramatic turn of events for Southeast Asian diplomacy, Malaysia and the United States have joined forces to push for a sweeping ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, aiming to put an end to months of deadly border conflict. The deal, which is expected to be formalized during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to October 28, 2025, has drawn global attention—especially with the confirmation that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend in person to witness the historic signing.
According to Reuters, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan announced on Tuesday that President Trump is set to visit Kuala Lumpur on October 26, expressing hope for the signing of a declaration known as the Kuala Lumpur Accord. "During the summit, we hope to see the signing of a declaration, known as the Kuala Lumpur Accord, between these two neighbours to ensure peace and a lasting ceasefire," Hasan told reporters. This summit, which will convene leaders from all 10 ASEAN member states as well as major partners such as China, Japan, Russia, and the U.S., promises to be a pivotal moment for the region.
The urgency behind these peace efforts stems from a bloody five-day conflict in July 2025 along the undemarcated 817-kilometer (508-mile) Thai-Cambodian border. The fighting, the worst in over a decade, claimed at least 48 lives and temporarily displaced hundreds of thousands, according to Reuters. The dispute centers on unmarked sections of the border, a longstanding flashpoint that has periodically erupted into violence.
Malaysia played a critical role in brokering an initial ceasefire on July 28, 2025, following a sustained diplomatic push by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and a series of telephone calls from President Trump to the leaders of both nations. Despite this, sporadic clashes continued into September, highlighting the fragility of the peace and the need for a more comprehensive agreement.
The expanded ceasefire under negotiation is set to be far more ambitious. As Reuters reports, Malaysia and the U.S. are facilitating a deal that will require both Thailand and Cambodia to remove all landmines and heavy artillery from their borders. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who will be traveling to Kuala Lumpur this week for further talks, outlined four key demands from Bangkok: withdrawal of heavy weapons from the border, landmine clearance in disputed territories, cooperation in combating transnational crime, and resolving encroachment issues.
"Right now, the negotiations are moving forward," Sihasak told reporters, signaling cautious optimism. On Sunday, foreign ministers from both countries met in Kuala Lumpur, joined by U.S. and Malaysian officials, to iron out the details of the ceasefire. The expectation is that the Kuala Lumpur Accord will be signed during the summit, with President Trump and other world leaders present.
The involvement of the United States—particularly President Trump—has added a layer of complexity and spectacle to the proceedings. According to Politico, Trump’s participation at the ASEAN summit was initially uncertain, hinging on whether the bloc would hold an official ceasefire ceremony with him at the helm. The U.S. president reportedly requested that Chinese officials not join the ceremony, despite China’s significant role in the negotiations. This move, while controversial, underscores the broader geopolitical rivalry playing out in the region.
Trump has not been shy about taking credit for the peace efforts. As reported by Al Jazeera, he has drawn parallels between his actions in Southeast Asia and his recent mediation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Earlier this week, Trump led a gathering of world leaders in Egypt to oversee an official ceasefire signing ceremony attended by about 20 countries. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet even nominated Trump for the Nobel Prize, citing his "historic contributions in advancing world peace."
While Trump’s high-profile diplomacy has drawn both praise and skepticism, the reality on the ground remains precarious. The Thai-Cambodian border dispute is deeply rooted, with the 800-plus kilometer stretch marked by decades of mistrust, sporadic violence, and unresolved territorial claims. Even after the July ceasefire, clashes persisted, and the removal of mines and heavy weaponry will be a formidable task requiring sustained cooperation.
Malaysia’s role as a mediator has been widely acknowledged. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as the current chair of ASEAN, has worked tirelessly to bring the parties to the table. The July ceasefire was widely seen as a diplomatic coup for Kuala Lumpur, but the expanded agreement now sought would be an even greater achievement, potentially setting a new standard for conflict resolution in the region.
The upcoming summit will also feature the East Asia Summit, which, according to Reuters, will issue a chairman’s statement rather than a joint statement. This decision was prompted by U.S. objections to the use of the word “inclusivity,” reflecting ongoing tensions over diplomatic language and regional alignments. Leaders from China, Japan, Russia, and the United States will join their ASEAN counterparts, underscoring the summit’s global significance.
Despite the optimism surrounding the Kuala Lumpur Accord, obstacles remain. The Cambodian Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment, and the White House has yet to issue an official confirmation of Trump’s attendance, though sources indicate that the trip is being planned. The delicate choreography of international diplomacy means that any misstep could jeopardize the fragile peace.
Beyond the immediate border dispute, the ceasefire talks have broader implications for ASEAN as a whole. The organization, which has often struggled to present a unified front on security issues, now faces a critical test of its ability to manage regional conflicts and assert its relevance in an era of great-power competition.
As the world turns its eyes to Kuala Lumpur later this month, the stakes could hardly be higher. The successful signing of the Kuala Lumpur Accord would not only bring relief to communities along the Thai-Cambodian border but also send a powerful message about the potential for diplomacy, even in the most intractable of disputes. With President Trump, Prime Minister Anwar, and other regional leaders poised to take center stage, the coming days promise to be both consequential and unpredictable.
For now, hope lingers that this time, the guns will finally fall silent along one of Southeast Asia’s most volatile frontiers.
