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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Every hour matters': First Lady says Marcos' brief Russia trip focused on food, energy security

'Every hour matters': First Lady says Marcos' brief Russia trip focused on food, energy security

Published Jun 17, 2026 06:47 am

At A Glance

  • First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos said President Marcos' Russia trip may be brief, but it is important because discussions will focus on food and energy security and fuel prices.
  • Marcos and Russian President Vladimir Putin will co-chair the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan and hold a bilateral meeting.
  • The trip marks Marcos' first visit to Russia and comes as the Philippines and Russia celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos plants a kiss on President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s cheek as he leaves for Kazan, Russia, on June 16, 2026, for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit and a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin from June 17-18, 2026. (First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos/Facebook)
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos plants a kiss on President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s cheek as he leaves for Kazan, Russia, on June 16, 2026, for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit and a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin from June 17-18, 2026. (First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos/Facebook)

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos said President Marcos' trip to Russia may be short, but “every hour matters” as discussions during the visit will center on issues that directly affect Filipino families, including food and energy security and fuel prices.

In a Facebook post on early Wednesday, June 17, the First Lady said she had sent off the President for what she described as a “very quick trip” to Russia, where he and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to co-chair the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit.

“A long journey for such a short visit -- 13 hours to get there, another 13 hours flying home, and only about 38 hours on the ground,” she said.

“But every hour matters when the conversations revolve around issues that affect everyday life for Filipino families — from food and energy security to fuel prices,” she added.

The First Lady said the journey was “not an easy trip” but one made “in service of the Filipino people and our shared future in the region.”

President Marcos left for Kazan late Tuesday night for his first visit to Russia since assuming office.

The trip also comes nearly 50 years after his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., visited the then-Soviet Union in 1976, a trip that culminated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between Manila and Moscow.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Philippines-Russia diplomatic relations.

As Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Marcos will co-chair the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit alongside Putin and fellow ASEAN leaders as they review 35 years of cooperation and chart the future direction of the ASEAN-Russia strategic partnership.

The summit is expected to discuss cooperation in peace and security, trade and investment, food and energy security, science and technology, digital transformation, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

On the sidelines of the summit, Marcos is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Putin.

The President earlier said discussions with the Russian leader would focus on “concrete areas of mutual interest, particularly energy and food security.”

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos Liza Araneta-Marcos ASEAN PH-Russia
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