President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to explore expanded areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Russia, focusing on food security, energy, trade, and investment.
“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. This time we agreed to explore new opportunities for cooperation in food security, energy, trade, and investment,” the President said in a social media post following their bilateral meeting.
“The next chapter of Philippines-Russia relations will deliver real benefits to the Filipino people and help build a more peaceful and prosperous future in our region for generations to come,” Marcos added.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan, where both participated in high-level engagements. The Philippines currently holds the ASEAN chairmanship.
Both leaders acknowledged the significance of diplomatic relations established between Manila and Moscow five decades ago under then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos, father of the incumbent president, and emphasized the importance of further deepening bilateral cooperation.
Marcos said that while trade between the two countries has remained steady, there is still significant room for expansion.
“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 this is – there is a great deal more that we can do,” he said, noting that energy and food security were identified as priority areas in previous bilateral discussions.
He also cited ongoing efforts to expand business-to-business cooperation in sectors such as innovation, retail products, cosmetics, food processing, and industrial partnerships.
Putin, for his part, said bilateral trade between the Philippines and Russia has already exceeded US$500 million in 2025 but noted that further growth potential remains.
“Of course, this is far from the limit. And of course, there is a good potential to enhance supplies of agriculture and energy resources,” he said in Russian.
He added that relations between the two countries are anchored on mutual respect and long-standing cooperation.
“Apparently, we are approaching the present threshold with an immense capital of mutually beneficial cooperation underpinned by good traditions of mutual respect and respect for the legitimate interests of each other,” he said.
Putin also greeted Filipinos on the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, which he noted coincides with Russia Day, marking Russia’s 1990 Declaration of State Sovereignty.
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Garlit Bailen said discussions also touched on potential cooperation in defense and national security, particularly participation in an international security conference in Russia.
He said ongoing engagements include cooperation on counterterrorism and maritime security.
“So, our discussions while we are not procuring or buying arms, discussions are ongoing to have cooperation with them for mutual interest on defense and security,” Bailen said.
Bailen also noted potential growth in tourism exchanges, citing plans for increased Russian flights to Philippine destinations such as Boracay and El Nido.
He said the Civil Aeronautics Board is currently reviewing applications from S7 Siberian Airlines to resume flights from cities including Irkutsk, Vladivostok, and Khabarovsk to Manila and Cebu.
He added that IrAero had already operated chartered flights last year from Irkutsk and Khabarovsk in Russia’s Far East to Kalibo, Aklan.