ASEANEWS HEADLINE: PHIL. RUSSIA-DIPLOMACY/ TRADE/ ASEAN | Marcos, Putin eye broader Philippines-Russia cooperation in energy, food security, trade
President Ferdinand Marcos and Russian President Vladimir Putin face each other at a bilateral meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 in Kazan, Russia.© Photo from Presidential Communications Office Face
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WATCH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gfgwvKcp-s
Marcos, Putin eye broader Philippines-Russia cooperation in energy, food security, trade
President Marcos and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to explore new opportunities for cooperation in food security, energy, trade, and investment, with both leaders saying there is significant untapped potential in the Philippines-Russia relations despite steady economic ties. The two leaders met in Kazan on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit on Wednesday, June 17, as Manila and Moscow marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. (Video courtesy of RTVM via Argyll Cyrus Geducos | MB)
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At A Glance
- President Marcos and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to explore broader cooperation in food security, energy, trade, and investment.
- Marcos said there is “a great deal more” that the Philippines and Russia can do together beyond current trade levels.
- Putin said bilateral trade exceeded $500 million last year and noted the potential to increase supplies of agricultural and energy products.
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President Marcos and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to explore new opportunities for cooperation in food security, energy, trade, and investment, with both leaders noting significant untapped potential in Philippine-Russia relations despite steady economic ties.
The two leaders met in Kazan on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit on Wednesday, June 17, as Manila and Moscow marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
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“Today, President Vladimir Putin and I met to continue the story that started 50 years ago when the Philippines and the Soviet Union opened a diplomatic chapter,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.
“This time, we agreed to explore new opportunities for cooperation in food security, energy, trade, and investment,” he added.
The President said the next chapter of the Philippines-Russia relations should “deliver real benefits to the Filipino people and help build a more peaceful and prosperous future in our region for generations to come.”
‘A great deal more that we can do’
During his opening statement, Marcos thanked Putin for Russia’s hospitality and noted the significance of the meeting as the two countries celebrated half a century of diplomatic ties.
The President said he appreciated the efforts of the Philippine and Russian embassies in organizing activities commemorating the milestone, including a photo exhibition held at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
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On the trade and investment relationship between the two countries, Marcos said there remains considerable room for growth.
“There are many potential areas that I think we should still open to explore, and I think that the present level of trade, although it is steady, I think that there is a great deal more that we can do,” he told Putin.
The President said discussions during the fourth meeting of the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation (JCTEC) in Moscow last September had provided a forward-looking exchange on structural issues affecting bilateral trade.
He noted that energy and food security had emerged as mutual priorities during the JCTEC meeting.
Marcos added that the business-to-business component held on the sidelines of the JCTEC had enabled Philippine and Russian companies to establish networks and explore joint ventures.
According to the President, memoranda of understanding signed by businesses covered cooperation in innovation, retail products, cosmetics, food processing, and industrial collaboration.
Putin sees greater potential
Putin likewise highlighted the prospects for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.
“Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $500 million… Of course, there is a good potential to enhance supplies of agriculture and energy resources,” he said.
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Putin also underscored the importance of existing mechanisms, including the Joint Russia-Philippine Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation.
“Today, we have a good opportunity, Mr. President, to evaluate the current stage of Russia-Philippines cooperation,” he said.
The Russian leader said the two countries approach the present period with “an immense capital of mutually beneficial cooperation” underpinned by traditions of mutual respect and respect for each other’s legitimate interests.
Shared priorities: energy and food security
Food and energy security have been recurring themes of Marcos’ trip to Russia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had earlier said the bilateral meeting would likely focus on these two areas because they are “mutually important” to both countries.
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Prior to the trip, the DFA said discussions could touch on oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, and civilian applications of nuclear technology, as well as the impact of global tensions on energy and food supplies.
The Philippines, like many countries, remains vulnerable to fluctuations in global fuel prices and disruptions in food supply chains, making energy and food security key concerns for the Marcos administration.
Invitation to Manila
Meanwhile, as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), President Marcos also invited President Putin to attend the 21st East Asia Summit, which will be held in Manila in November.
“The East Asia Summit remains an integral part in maintaining a regional architecture towards our shared goal of a stable, secure, and prosperous region,” the President said.
Putin, for his part, welcomed the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN and noted that the commemorative summit marked the 35th anniversary of Russia’s relations with the regional bloc.
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“Together, tomorrow, we’ll co-chair the plenary of the Summit and present our deliverables to mass media,” the Russian leader said.
He also congratulated the Philippines on its Independence Day on June 12, noting that Russia celebrates its own national holiday on the same date.
“This is a happy coincidence,” Putin said.
50 years of diplomatic ties
The Russian leader recalled the visit of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to Moscow in 1976, which resulted in the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We all remember the visit by your father, Ferdinand Marcos, to Moscow in 1976. Upon this visit, a joint communique on the establishment of inter-state relations was adopted,” Putin said.
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“It is noteworthy that then, amid the Cold War, it required the political will from the Philippine leadership. Such a well-balanced and pragmatic approach to international affairs is, of course, of high demand today,” he added.
Marcos is in Kazan to co-chair the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit alongside Putin and fellow ASEAN leaders as they review 35 years of ASEAN-Russia relations and chart the future direction of the strategic partnership between the regional bloc and Moscow.
The trip marks the President’s first visit to Russia since assuming office and comes nearly five decades after his father made the historic trip that formally established diplomatic relations between Manila and Moscow.
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