Marcos, Putin to explore mutual interests

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos and Russian President Vladimir Putin will explore ways to further strengthen the two countries’ cooperation in “areas of mutual interest” during their meeting in Kazan this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

This will be Marcos’ first visit to Russia as president of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Russia Commemorative Summit, which will be held on June 17 and 18.

As this year’s ASEAN chair, Marcos will co-chair the ASEAN-Russia summit, which will commemorate 35 years of dialogue relations.

The President will be joined by “a very small delegation,” DFA Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial said.

During their bilateral meeting, Imperial said Marcos and Putin will focus on the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia.

“The meeting will most likely focus on food security and energy security – that is mutually important for both countries,” Imperial said.

They will also discuss “very important regional international issues that both would consider important for the relationship,” he added.

Imperial said the impact of the Middle East crisis on energy and food security would also be the “highlight” of their meeting.

The meeting also seeks to deepen relations in other areas, such as people-to-people, tourism, education, cultural cooperation and science and technology, he said.

Asked whether Marcos will tackle import deals with Russia as the Philippines tries to diversify its sources of oil given the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Imperial said: “When it comes to these bilateral meetings and also this summit, these discussions come up.”

In trade relations, the two nations have a “very decent bilateral trade,” Imperial said, noting that economic engagements are also pursued between the private sector.

Marcos will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and “a very small delegation” from the Department of Trade and Industry.

There are about 15,000 Filipinos in Russia. Most of them are in the service sector, according to Imperial.

Imperial said this would be the first time there would be an in-person engagement among ASEAN leaders and Russia since their online special meeting held during the COVID-19 pandemic, attended by then president Rodrigo Duterte. ASEAN leaders and Putin are expected to review the progress of the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership.

The summit is expected to adopt several key outcome documents, including the Kazan Declaration 2026, which will articulate the shared vision of ASEAN and Russia as they commemorate 35 years of partnership, as well as joint statements on energy and cultural cooperation.

Leaders are expected to adopt the ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action 2026-2030, which will serve as the principal roadmap for advancing cooperation.