Kathrine Frich
Diplomats have officially asked for a direct meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin
Global summits often serve as the perfect backdrop for quiet conversations that shape international relations.
When dozens of national leaders gather in one heavily guarded city, the most important moments usually happen far away from the main cameras.
Now, a major diplomatic maneuver is brewing ahead of an upcoming gathering.
A formal request
According to the Russian state news agency TASS, the Philippines is actively trying to secure a private conversation with the Kremlin.
Diplomats have officially asked for a direct meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
If the Russian government approves the request, this highly anticipated talk would mark the very first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.
The proposed sitdown is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming Russia-ASEAN summit. This major diplomatic event kicks off later this week in the Russian city of Kazan.
Ambassador confirms plans
Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Bailen recently spoke to the news outlet Izvestia to share details about the diplomatic push.
He revealed that his country is eager to explore the evolving relationship between Manila and Moscow.
“We have requested a meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Vladimir Putin. So, I think, the two leaders will have their first meeting,” Bailen said.
The ambassador also noted that their private agenda would likely extend far beyond the broader regional summit topics.
“Apart from the ASEAN-Russia summit, they could certainly discuss a certain progress in bilateral dialogue between the Philippines and Russia,” he told the publication.
Decades of diplomacy
The broader regional conference will run from June 17 to June 19 in Kazan.
Claire Castro serves as a press officer for the Filipino leader. She recently told the PNA news agency that her nation had fully confirmed its attendance at the high profile gathering.
This year brings a special milestone for the participating nations. It officially marks exactly 35 years of diplomatic relations between Russia and the regional intergovernmental organization.
The last time these specific groups held a dedicated summit was back in 2021. That earlier meeting took place entirely over video link due to global travel restrictions.
Now, the return to in-person diplomacy offers a rare chance for leaders to negotiate directly.
Sources: TASS, Izvestia, PNA
