Marcos heads to Kazan for Asean-Russia Summit, meeting with Putin

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for Kazan, Russia, on Tuesday midnight to participate in the commemorative summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Russia, where leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in security, trade, energy, food security, and other key areas.

In his departure statement, President Marcos said the trip carries both regional and personal significance as it marks his first visit to Russia.

The President and his delegation left shortly after 11:55 p.m. on June 16.

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It will be Marcos’ first time on Russian soil—50 years after his father, then-President Marcos Sr. made his own historic visit to the then-Soviet Union in 1976, which culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between Manila and Moscow.

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The President said this milestone “opened an enduring chapter in Philippines-Russia relations grounded in mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation—one that we continue to build upon today.”

“As chair of Asean, the Philippines is committed to ensuring that this commemorative summit produces substantive and forward-looking outcomes that deepen Asean’s Strategic Partnership with Russia and contribute, in concrete terms, to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity,” Marcos added.

The summit commemorates the 35th anniversary of ties between Russia and the 11-member Asean.

During the Asean-Russia summit, Marcos said the Philippines “will continue to champion Asean unity, centrality, and solidarity, and promote an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture anchored in international law.”

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“We travel to Kazan with purpose, and we return with renewed commitment to our partnership,” he added.

READ: Marcos to meet Putin in Asean-Russia summit

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According to the President, discussions during the summit will focus on cooperation in peace and security, trade and investment, food and energy security, science and technology, digital transformation, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Marcos is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Putin.

The summit also coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia.

READ: Marcos, Putin talks to focus on energy, food security

“For over five decades, our bilateral ties have steadily deepened across trade, education, culture, agriculture, energy, science, and, above all, through the sustained bonds between our peoples. We look forward to building on these foundations and opening new avenues of cooperation for the future,” Marcos said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said the meeting would be an opportunity for the two countries to explore ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, particularly energy security and food security.

Marcos and Putin will also discuss “some very important regional international issues that both would consider important for the relationship,” including the Middle East crisis.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte met with Putin twice during his presidency.

He first visited Moscow in May 2017 but cut his trip short to declare martial law during the Marawi siege.

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He returned for a full official visit to Moscow and Sochi in October 2019. /cb