President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to advance bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Russia, targeting trade, energy, and food security as primary areas for broader economic engagement.
The two leaders held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan, which President Marcos attended in his role as the current Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
During their discussions, Marcos and Putin addressed methods to boost economic interactions, acknowledging that substantial potential remains unfulfilled between Manila and Moscow.
Marcos emphasized the importance of regular communication to identify new areas for partnership.
“As you mentioned, Excellency, there are many potential areas that I think we should still hope to explore. I think the present level of trade, although it is steady, there is a great deal more that we can do,” Marcos said.
President Putin mirrored these sentiments, pointing out that both nations possess considerable opportunities to scale up economic ties, particularly within the energy and agricultural sectors.
The leaders underscored the importance of the Joint Russia-Philippine Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, identifying it as a crucial mechanism for driving bilateral projects and strengthening economic relations.
The meeting took place as the two nations celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, which were officially established on June 2, 1976. Marcos called the semi-centennial milestone a significant event in the shared history of both countries.
“It is a particularly significant time for us to be meeting as this is the 50 years celebration of Philippine-Russian ties,” he said.
Putin referenced the historic 1976 visit of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to Moscow, noting that it served as the cornerstone for formal diplomatic relations.
The Russian President also offered his congratulations to President Marcos and the Filipino people on the occasion of Philippine Independence Day, celebrated on June 12. He noted that Russia observes its own national holiday, Russia Day, on the exact same date.
Putin described the overlapping holidays as a “happy coincidence.”
The shared date, he added, underscores the enduring diplomatic relationship and friendship between the two states.
Before concluding the talks, Marcos extended a personal invitation to Putin to travel to Manila this November to attend the 21st East Asia Summit.
Marcos highlighted the regional forum’s critical role in fostering a “stable, secure, and prosperous region.”