🇷🇺🤝🇵🇭 50 years of Diplomatic Relations between Russia and the Philippines: Friendship across the Ocean and Time – an article by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Philippines for the Republic of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs' Foreign Service Institute publication (June 5, 2026)

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On June 2, 1976, the Soviet Union and the Republic of the Philippines established diplomatic relations. This step – the significance of which cannot be overestimated – was the sovereign choice of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to pursue an independent foreign policy regardless of the realities of the Cold War.

Half a century later, this day can be rightly called the starting point of the formation of mature and generally quite successful Russian-Philippine partnership based on mutual respect and consideration of mutual interests.

It is notable that the history of our relations is rooted deep in the past. Back in 1817, one official of the Russian Empire, Piotr Dobel, presciently envisioned this remote archipelago as a promising trading port in the Pacific Ocean and opened the first Russian consulate in Manila. Decades later, Filipinos welcomed Russian travellers and sailors, including Vassily Golovnin, Fyodor Litke, Nikolay Miklukho-Maklai and Ivan Goncharov. Travel notes of our outstanding compatriots introduced readers to the amazing culture of the island people

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The common pages of history continue to serve as an important tool in developing our cooperation at the current stage. The official visit of the President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte to Russia in May 2017, as well as his meetings with President Vladimir Putin at the platforms of the APEC Forum and the Valdai International Discussion Club made a significant contribution to broadening cooperation.

Russia and the Philippines have a positive experience of military and technical interaction. In 2017, when ISIS-affiliated terrorist groups attacked the island of Mindanao, Russia provided the Philippines with Ural trucks and weapons for the Republic's army. Since 2021, the ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet have made six friendly visits to Philippine harbours.

Practical cooperation projects are being carried out. Amid the aggravating situation in the world energy markets, at the request of Philippine partners, supply of Russian oil resumed this spring, while over 2.4 million barrels have already been shipped. This clearly shows Russian suppliers' reliability.

In September 2025, Moscow hosted the 4th meeting of the Joint Russian-Philippine Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. It outlined promising areas for joint efforts, including transport infrastructure, peaceful atom, space, information and communication technologies. Rosatom State Corporation is working with Philippine partners on projects to construct small nuclear power plants, as well as the non-energy use of nuclear technologies in medicine, agriculture, and industry.

☝️ I would like to highlight the effective foreign policy coordination between our countries, particularly at the United Nations. It is based on the unity or close alignment of our approaches to key challenges of our times and commitment to democratisation of international relations based on the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation.

We express our sincere gratitude to our Filipino partners for their co sponsorship of the resolution titled "Eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War", submitted by Russia to the UNGA. During the dark years of the war, our peoples bravely resisted the aggressors, fighting for the triumph of good and justice.

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🤝 I would like to congratulate all our friends in the Philippines on the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. We are optimistic about the future and ready for new joint initiatives for the benefit of our citizens and in the interests of peace and prosperity.

📹 Sergey Lavrov's video address

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