Marcos to pursue energy, nuclear deals with Russia

By Erika Mae P. Sinaking, Reporter

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will seek to deepen cooperation on energy and food security with Russia, including possible nuclear energy collaboration, during a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir V. Putin on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)‑Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan this week.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier M. Imperial said Mr. Marcos would meet Mr. Putin to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations and discuss areas of mutual interest.

“The discussions will center on the commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia,” he told a news briefing on Monday.

The Philippines, which heads the ASEAN this year, will co-chair the June 17-18 summit with Russia. The trip marks Mr. Marcos’ first visit to the Russian Federation since taking office in 2022.

Mr. Imperial said the bilateral meeting would also cover food and energy security, areas that Manila has flagged as priorities.

“The meeting will likewise provide an opportunity to explore ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest particularly energy security and food security,” he said.

Energy discussions are expected to include several options, including oil, natural gas and nuclear power cooperation.

He added that talks might extend beyond power generation to include broader applications of nuclear technology, as well as support for regional initiatives such as the ASEAN power grid.

ASEAN leaders and Mr. Putin are expected to review progress in their strategic partnership and identify areas for deeper cooperation.

Mr. Imperial said these include biosecurity, space and satellite applications, trade, investment, tourism, education and people-to-people exchanges.

“During the summit, ASEAN leaders and President Putin are expected to review the progress of ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership and discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual trust,” he said.

The visit comes as Manila manages relations with major powers while pursuing an independent foreign policy. The Philippines maintains a treaty alliance with the US, which, along with the European Union, has imposed sanctions on Russia.

Mr. Imperial said the engagement with Russia is being carried out within the ASEAN framework.

“Guided by ASEAN centrality we will continue to pursue our relations with each dialogue partner including Russia,” he said.

He added that decisions by other countries to impose sanctions are independent of ASEAN processes.

“It is their prerogative to decide whether they would like to pursue something with Russia,” he said.

The Kazan meeting will be the first in-person engagement between ASEAN leaders and Mr. Putin in six years after a series of virtual meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All ASEAN member states were invited to attend. Most are expected to send top leaders, while Myanmar will be represented by a nonpolitical official under ASEAN policy on its political crisis.

Diplomats expect the summit to produce several outcome documents, including the Kazan Declaration 2026 and a Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026-2030, which will guide cooperation across political, economic and sociocultural areas.

The DFA said the agenda would focus on cooperation rather than geopolitical disputes.

“Regarding the outcome documents that will come out of the summit, certainly we’re just focusing on areas of cooperation,” Mr. Imperial said. “There won’t be any statement or declaration when it comes to Ukraine.”

Mr. Marcos will be joined by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and officials from the Department of Trade and Industry as part of the Philippine delegation.