President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday, where he is set to co-chair the 35th ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit from June 17 to 18 and hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President’s plane landed in Russia at 7:53 a.m. (12:53 p.m. in Manila).
Castro said Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino have been designated as members of the caretaker committee while the President is abroad.
Marcos and his delegation left Manila at 11:55 p.m. on Tuesday.
In a pre-recorded departure statement, Marcos said the trip carries both regional and personal significance as it marks his first visit to Russia as President.
“It will be my first time on Russian soil—a journey I undertake nearly fifty (50) years after my father, President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., made his own historic visit to the then-Soviet Union in 1976, which culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Marcos said.
He said his father’s milestone visit opened an enduring chapter in Philippines–Russia relations grounded in mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation.
“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,” he added.
The President said his talks with Putin will focus on concrete areas of mutual interest, particularly energy and food security.
Marcos said the summit aims to produce substantive and forward-looking outcomes that will deepen ASEAN’s strategic partnership with Russia and contribute to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
“Together with my fellow ASEAN Leaders and President Vladimir Putin, we will take stock of 35 years of ASEAN–Russia cooperation and help chart a course for the decades ahead,” Marcos said.
He said discussions will cover cooperation in peace and security, trade and investment, food and energy security, science and technology, digital transformation, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
He reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to ASEAN unity and cooperation with external partners.
“Guided by our ASEAN Chairship theme, ‘Navigating Our Future, Together,’ 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,” the President said.
“We travel to Kazan with purpose, and we return with renewed commitment to our partnership,” Marcos added.