MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Russia is expected to strengthen the Philippines’ energy security efforts while showcasing Manila’s ability to balance relations with major global powers, a political analyst said on Wednesday.
Marcos is currently in Kazan, Russia where he is set to lead the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the 35th ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit.
Professor Froilan Calilung said Marcos’ trip carried both a multilateral and bilateral dimension, one as the current chairman of the Asean and as a co-chairman of the summit alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The analyst noted that Marcos’ leadership role in the summit provided diplomatic cover for deeper engagement with Moscow while maintaining the Philippines’ strong ties with its traditional Western allies.
“The structural leadership role provides him with a lot of diplomatic cover and allows the Philippines to engage deeply with Moscow without appearing to break ranks with Western security allies such as the United States and the European Union,” Calilung said in English and Filipino during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon televised briefing.
He said that by acting on behalf of the Asean, Marcos reinforced the bloc’s principle of centrality while advancing regional cooperation with Russia.
Beyond the summit, Calilung said the president’s coming meeting with Putin was expected to focus on Philippine national interests, particularly in the areas of trade, investment and energy, especially amid the volatility in the Middle East.
The war in the region has exposed the Philippines’ vulnerability as a nation heavily dependent on crude oil imports.
“With Russia being one of the world’s largest oil producers and exporters, stronger ties could help shield the Philippines from future supply shocks,” Calilung said and added that the country may seek to capitalize on Russia’s efforts to expand economic partnerships in Asia by exploring direct state-to-state arrangements that could support the country’s energy requirements and broader economic goals.
The analyst also highlighted potential cooperation in nuclear energy, an area where Russia has extensive experience and technological expertise.
He said the Philippines could learn from Russia’s use of nuclear power as it explored alternative energy sources to address high electricity costs.
“If the Philippines is able to tap nuclear power as an alternative energy source, it could help reduce electricity generation costs and make the country more attractive to investors,” Calilung said.
