Vladimir Putin and Ferdinand Marcos made statements for the media

Vladimir Putin and Ferdinand Marcos made statements for the media.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Vladimir Putin and President of the Republic of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos made statements for the media following the Russia – ASEAN Summit.

Kazan, June 18, 2026

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, ladies and gentlemen,

Mr Ferdinand Marcos, President of the Republic of the Philippines, a country which currently holds the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and I would like to inform you of the results of the Russia – ASEAN Summit, which has just concluded.

Our discussions were productive and constructive, taking place in a friendly and businesslike atmosphere. The summit brought together leaders, heads of government, senior politicians, and government officials from all eleven ASEAN member states, as well as the Secretary-General of the Association. This broad participation clearly reflects the strong mutual interest of Russia and the countries of Southeast Asia in further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, building on longstanding ties of friendship and the extensive experience of a multifaceted and fruitful partnership.

The strategic priorities for future cooperation between Russia and ASEAN are set out in the Kazan Declaration, which was adopted following the summit. In particular, the document reaffirms our shared commitment to building a just and democratic multipolar world order based on the universally recognised principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

The summit also approved the Russia – ASEAN Plan of Action, which outlines practical measures aimed at strengthening political and security cooperation, expanding trade and investment, and building up cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

I will note that we heard many constructive ideas and useful practical suggestions during the summit on stepping up our economic partnership. Participants spoke in favour of stepping up mutual trade, both in terms of quality and quantity, while also improving its structure and expanding mutual capital investment. To deliver on this vision, businesses must switch to national currencies in their financial transactions. We must remove the remaining trade barriers and streamline administrative procedures. All our countries have the potential to achieve this. It is a matter of diversifying our business ties.

Russia is ready to increase exports of high value-added products to ASEAN countries, including fertiliser and medicinal products. Of course, we remain committed to supplying our Asian friends with food products and energy resources, which have been enjoying so much demand.

Our country has been assisting and providing support to states in the region in their effort to develop nuclear energy. Rosatom has unique technology solutions to offer for building power plants in keeping with the highest security and environmental safety standards. Not only can it build nuclear power plants, but also create new civilian nuclear sectors from scratch as turnkey solutions by training specialists for this sector, and sharing its experience and knowledge in nuclear medicine and the application of nuclear technology in other domains, including agriculture, etc.

Russia and ASEAN countries have been doing a lot to strengthen their cooperation in the transport sector. They have been expanding transcontinental shipments by sea and rail, while laying new routes and working together on launching logistics services.

There have been regular consultations on sensitive issues such as combating terrorism, drug trafficking, organised crime, and the safe use of digital technology.

We reaffirm our commitment to working together on promoting cooperation on cybersecurity and ICT. Russia’s leading IT companies have been sharing their cutting-edge solutions with their Asian colleagues in data protection, artificial intelligence, smart city technology, etc.

Considerable attention during the summit was given to expanding humanitarian exchanges and cooperation in culture, science, sports, and tourism.

Russia has traditionally supported the training of qualified specialists from Southeast Asian countries. Today, around 5,000 students from the region are enrolled at Russian universities, including those who study under Russian government scholarships. For more than 15 years, the ASEAN Centre at MGIMO University has played an important role in strengthening academic and educational ties between Russia and the countries of Southeast Asia.

Tourist exchanges continue to grow, supported by regular direct flights between Russia and ASEAN member states. Last year, the number of Russian tourists visiting Southeast Asia increased by 37 percent. The flow of visitors from ASEAN countries to Russia also rose significantly, by 34 percent. We warmly welcome foreign guests and appreciate their interest in our history, culture, and rich folk traditions.

One of these ancient traditions – the Sabantuy festival, which is currently being celebrated in Kazan and other regions of the Volga region – serves as a vivid example. I would like to congratulate everyone taking part in these festivities, which traditionally mark the completion of the spring fieldwork season. Should any of our summit participants have the opportunity to stay here for a few more days, I am confident that the vibrant and diverse programme of celebrations will leave a lasting impression.

We attach particular importance to the fact that all heads of delegation expressed support for maintaining close foreign policy coordination. Russia and ASEAN countries, as sovereign, independent, and self-reliant states, are committed to strengthening international cooperation and to respecting all our partners, their history, religion, development models, and traditions. On many of the key issues facing the world today, our positions are either very close or fully aligned.

This is true, in particular, with regard to the situation surrounding Iran. We unanimously welcomed the agreements reached between the Iranian and American sides aimed at ending the military conflict and working towards the parameters of a future peace settlement. We believe that the fact that the document was signed by the heads of state, President Trump and President Pezeshkian, provides grounds for expecting it to become a serious and substantive foundation for future agreements.

We hope that the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf will stabilise, which would, among other things, have a positive effect on global energy and food markets.

I would also like to emphasise that the Russian Federation will continue to provide every possible assistance to ASEAN states in their endeavours to maintain peace and stability in Southeast Asia and, more broadly, to establish a reliable, open and comprehensive system of security and multifaceted cooperation throughout the entire Eurasian region. Furthermore, we seek to facilitate the synergy of the various integration processes unfolding on the continent, including within such frameworks as ASEAN, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As you may be aware, a number of bilateral engagements have been scheduled for the participants during this summit. I, too, have meetings arranged with virtually all heads of delegations. Some of these engagements have already taken place, while others will be held later today – shortly. Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank all my colleagues once again for accepting our invitation and travelling to the Russian Federation, to Kazan.

Let me reiterate that Russia sincerely strives to build a multidimensional and truly strategic partnership with the states of Southeast Asia, and we see the same commitment – to work together, hand in hand – reflected among our Asian partners.

Once again, I extend my gratitude to all participants, and to you, Mr President, in your capacity as the current Chair of the Association. You personally have made a significant contribution to the organisation of our today’s work. As co-chairs, the President and I have guided our deliberations, and I wish to thank you personally for this joint effort during today’s session. Thank you very much, Mr President.

You have the floor.

Photo: Kremlin.ru

President of the Republic of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos: Thank you, President Vladimir Putin, members of the ASEAN delegations and the Russian delegation. Members of the media, good afternoon.

Today, ASEAN and the Russian Federation commemorated 35 years of dialogue relations and reaffirmed our shared commitment to partnership that remains constructive, forward-looking, and responsive to the evolving needs of our people.

As co-chairs of the ASEAN-Russia commemorative summit, President Putin and I welcome the productive and substantive discussions among leaders on the future direction of ASEAN-Russia cooperation, as well as on regional and international developments of common concern.

The summit underscored our collective commitment to strengthening cooperation across the political, security, economic, social and cultural pillars of engagement. We exchanged views on promoting peace, stability and sustainable development, enhancing trade and investment, strengthening food and energy security, advancing science and technology cooperation, and deepening people-to-people exchanges.

We also discussed developments in the wider Eurasian region, and welcome opportunities for greater engagement between ASEAN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the Eurasian Economic Union. We noted the growing interaction between ASEAN and these organisations and recognised the potential for enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including economic connectivity, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, tourism, and addressing transnational challenges.

We likewise welcome the adoption of several important outcome documents that will guide the next phase of ASEAN-Russia relations. These include the Kazan Declaration 2026, “ASEAN-Russia Unity and Diversity – 35 Years Together,” the ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026–2030, the Joint Statement and Concept Paper on Cultural Cooperation, and the Joint Statement and Concept Paper on Energy Cooperation. Together, these documents provide a comprehensive roadmap for expanding practical cooperation and delivering tangible results and benefits to our peoples in the years to come.

As ASEAN Chair, the Philippines welcomes Russia’s continued engagement with ASEAN and its support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led architecture. We remain committed to ensuring that the momentum generated at the summit translates into concrete outcomes and meaningful cooperation.

On behalf of ASEAN, I express my appreciation to President Putin and the Government of the Russian Federation for the warm hospitality extended to all the delegations for this commemorative summit. As we mark this important milestone, we look forward to working closely with Russia to further strengthen our partnership and to build a more peaceful, resilient and prosperous future for our regions.

Thank you.

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