This year Russia and the Philippines celebrate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. By historical standards, the period is relatively short, but looking back, one can say that the Russia-Philippines relations have come a long and fruitful way.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Sochi, Russia, 2019
On May 25, 2021 Russian MGIMO University and Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines hosted a joint online conference on the past, present and future of bilateral relations which continued a series of events commemorating the anniversary, including a telesummit between President Vladimir Putin and President Rodrigo Duterte on April 13, 2021, the 12th political consultations between foreign ministries, Russian and Philippine Ambassadors' joint lecture in College of National Defense of the Philippines on March 5, 2021 and launching a series of "Moscow to Manila" webinars organized by Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance, Asean Center of MGIMO University and the New Era University. Among the distinguished guests of the said conference were Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, DFA Undersecretary Elizabeth Buensuceso, ambassadors of two countries, and representatives of leading agencies and educational institutions from both sides. The honored speakers touched upon the topic of the whole variety of issues from the history of the first contacts between two countries to the current state of bilateral agenda, including political and security aspects of cooperation as well as culture, trade and economics.