June 16, 2026
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his two-day visit to Kazan, Russia this week will focus on food and energy security, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday.
Marcos, Putin, and leaders from Southeast Asian nations are also expected to discuss possible cooperation in nuclear energy, according to Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial.
“The meeting will most likely focus on food security and energy security—that is mutually important for both countries, for the Philippines and Russia. And they will also discuss, among others, some very important regional international issues that both would consider important for the relationship,” said Imperial when asked what priority issues Marcos and Putin discuss in their bilateral talks.
Marcos will be in Kazan from June 17 to 18 for the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit. The event also marks the 35th anniversary of Asean-Russia relations.
“[O]il, natural gas, including cooperation on nuclear energy. In fact, even going beyond nuclear energy, even the severe induces of nuclear energy might be some of the areas of discussions, during this summit and also the bilateral meeting between the President and President Putin,” Imperial said.
Aside from bilateral and regional discussions with Putin, Marcos is expected to participate in a business forum with fellow leaders.
Emphasizing the significance of Marcos’ participation in the summit, Imperial said the Philippines could benefit from capacity-building initiatives and training in combating terrorism and transnational crime that may come from Russia.
The Kazan Declaration 2026 is also likely to be adopted during the gathering, and Asean states and Russia are expected to issue joint statements on energy and cultural cooperation.
Moreover, the leaders will adopt the Asean-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action 2026–2030, which will serve as the principal roadmap for advancing cooperation across the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars of the partnership.
Imperial said there would be no statement or declaration concerning Ukraine, as the summit will focus on food and energy security in Southeast Asia and Russia.
Marcos’ delegation for the trip is relatively small, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Trade Secretary Maria Cristina Roque serving as the only Cabinet officials accompanying the president. /dl