Marcos, Putin Discuss Boosting Energy, Food Ties

Despite forging diplomatic relations for 50 years, the Philippines and Russia acknowledged that a lot more can be done to enhance their relations as they cite a huge potential to boost cooperation in key areas, including energy, trade and food security.

President Marcos had his first ever bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, June 17, in Kazan – one of the highlights of his three-day working visit to Russia – to discuss the ties between Manila and Moscow. 

Putin noted that bilateral trade between the two countries has exceeded $500-million, but “that is by no means the ceiling.”

“There is clear potential to expand supplies of both agricultural products and energy resources,” the Russian leader told Marcos.

“Today, we have a good opportunity, Mr. President, to evaluate the current stage the of Russia-Philippines cooperation,” he added.

Putin said effective mechanisms are in place to strengthen collaboration, including the Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation (JCTEC). Marcos echoed this, saying energy and food security emerged as one of the mutual priorities of the two countries during the JCTEC meeting held in Moscow last September.

“As you have mentioned, your excellency...there are many potential areas that I think we should still (be) open to explore and I think that the present level of trade, although it is steady, I think...there is a great deal more that we can do,” he said.

Marcos said the business-to-business component at the sidelines of the JCTEC enabled the Philippines and Russia to establish networks and explore joint ventures. A number of memoranda of understanding signed covered cooperation in innovation, retail products, cosmetics, food processing and industrial collaboration, he added.

According to earlier reports, the Philippines bought about 1.5 million barrels of crude oil from Russia after the US lifted the sanctions on Russian fuel imports for 30 days to ease the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade route. The United Nations has imposed trade sanctions on Russia because of its attack on Ukraine.

More tourists

The Philippines also intends to boost its tourism cooperation with Russia as it tries to catch up on its neighbors in terms of luring Russian visitors.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Garlit Bailen said a number of Russian airlines are seeking approvals for direct flights to the Philippines' key tourist destinations. Russian tourists, the envoy added, are interested in tourist spots like Boracay and El Nido.

“And this year, we are waiting for development from the Civil Aeronautics Board of the Philippines because the S7 Siberian Airlines applied to be able to fly again from Siberia, from the cities of Irkutsk, Vladivostok and Khabarovsk to Manila and to Cebu,” Bailen said in an interview with Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro.

“We are developing that so that in terms of economic relationship, tourism is a very important part of the economic relationship and there is great potential, aside from the traditional exports, imports of oil, energy and food,” he added.

About 2.1 million Russians visited countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nation countries in the first nine months of 2025. However, more than half of them or about 1.5 million chose to travel to Thailand, especially Phuket.

“There are a lot of Russian tourists in Bali and other parts of Indonesia. And of course there are direct flights between St. Petersburg and Ho Chi Minh City and between Moscow and Hanoi in Vietnam,” Bailen said.

‘Happy coincidence’

Also during the bilateral meeting, Putin greeted the Philippines on its Independence Day celebration on June 12. He noted that Russia also celebrates its national holiday, the Day of Russia on the same date.

“This is a happy coincidence,” Putin told Marcos.

Putin also recalled the visit of Marcos’ late father and namesake to Moscow in 1976, which saw the two countries adopting a joint communique on the establishment of inter-state relations.

“I would note that, against the backdrop of the Cold War, this required political will on the part of the Philippine leadership. Such a balanced and pragmatic approach to international relations is certainly no less relevant today,” the Russian president said.

“We approach this milestone, of course, with a solid foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation, built on good traditions, mutual respect and due regard for each other’s legitimate interests. Apparently, we approach in the present threshold with an immense capital of mutual beneficial cooperation, underpinned by good traditions of mutual respect and respect for legitimate interests of each other,” he added.

Marcos expressed hope that the two countries’ foreign ministries would continue their regular conduct of political consultations, saying they provide “a very important opportunity to explore further ways of cooperation.”

The Philippines and Russia are commemorating the 50th anniversary of their bilateral relations, which were formally established on June 2, 1976.

Putin invited

Marcos also invited Putin to visit the Philippines to attend this year's East Asia Summit, a leader-led forum linked to the ASEAN Summit.

“Once again, speaking as Chair of ASEAN, may I personally extend my invitation to your excellency to attend the 21st East Asia Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Manila next November,” Marcos said.

“The East Asia Summit remains an integral part in maintaining a regional architecture towards our shared goal of a stable, secure, and prosperous region,” he added.

Putin said the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit represents an important milestone in the development of Moscow's strategic partnership with the regional bloc.

“Your country holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, and we are especially pleased that during your term of office ASEAN marks the 35th anniversary of our country’s relations with the association,” he added.

Key priorities

 Marcos and Putin presided over the plenary of the commemorative summit on Thursday, June 18, which seeks to contribute to efforts to maintain regional peace and stability and achieve shared prosperity.

In his welcome remarks at the opening of the summit, Marcos enumerated three priorities that he said should animate the cooperation between ASEAN and Russia in the years ahead, namely, peace, security and stability; a more dynamic economic partnership; and people. 

According to Marcos, the value of steady political and security engagement between ASEAN and Russia cannot be overstated “in an era of deepening geopolitical uncertainty.”

“Transnational threats such as terrorism, illicit trafficking, cybercrime, and online scams do not respect borders and neither can our responses,” the President said.

“We must strengthen practical cooperation on maritime security and counter-terrorism, reinforce our collective resilience in cyberspace and develop the institutional habits of anticipation rather than mere reaction.”

With regarrd to economic partnership, Marcos said trade and investment ties have grown, but have yet to reach full potential. He cited the need to be more deliberate and more ambitious in expanding economic opportunities, improving trade facilitation, deepening investment flows and connecting business communities.

“Food and energy security deserve a particular attention, as these are the foundations on which broader stability rests. Our economic cooperation must also be inclusive. Our micro, small, and medium enterprises must have a place in this partnership,” he added.

Marcos also highlighted the need to boost cooperation on people, particularly through scholarships, student exchanges, academic partnerships, tourism and the arts.