Southeastern Express: why Russia gathered ASEAN leaders in Kazan

The Russia–ASEAN Summit kicked off in Kazan on June 17. Representatives of all 11 member countries of this association arrived in the capital of Tatarstan. Vladimir Putin personally welcomed the guests and reminded them that together countries create a fair system of world order and equality of states. Experts believe that such a large-scale event is intended to strengthen Moscow's position in Asia and create a new security system. Moreover, the Kazan summit has already proved that the world has ceased to be unipolar. The main US ally in the region, the leader of the Philippines, also flew to Kazan: he held his first meeting with Vladimir Putin and invited him to Manila in November.

How Kazan welcomed the Russia–ASEAN Summit

On June 17, one of the largest international events of this year, the Russia—ASEAN Summit, started in Kazan. The last time the states met in such a composition was only in 2021, and then by video link. Now the work is in full-time mode for two days.

Since the morning, one by one, the planes of the countries from Southeast Asia landed at Kazan airport. Kazan welcomed all the participants hospitably: with a guard of honor, chak-chak and a loaf, which aroused sincere smiles and keen interest from Asian leaders, many of whom arrived in Tatarstan for the first time. The Prime Minister of East Timor, Kai Rala Xanana Gusmao, tried chak-chak and joked that he would stay in Kazan. It was probably pleasant to hear this from the leadership of Tatarstan, led by the President of the republic, Rustam Minnikhanov, who greeted each delegation.

The diplomatic motorcades, stretching for hundreds of meters, headed to the Galiasgar Kamal Tatar Academic Theater, one of the oldest national theaters in Russia. An official welcoming ceremony and a reception on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation were held here. Russian folk ensembles performed in front of the leaders. The artists admitted to Izvestia on the sidelines that they were very worried, although this was not the first time they had performed in front of distinguished guests.

— We are meeting in Kazan, a beautiful and ancient city that embodies the cultural and religious diversity of our country, its unique historical and spiritual heritage, and at the same time is a modern, dynamic and open—to-the-world metropolis. I am sure that you will be able to feel the sincere hospitality and cordiality of the Russian people yourself, and get acquainted with their rich traditions," Vladimir Putin said at the ceremony.

The head of state himself arrived in Kazan shortly before the official start of the program. And first he went to the Kazan Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There he visited the Annunciation Cathedral and the Kul Sharif Mosque. This came as a big surprise to the parishioners, who clearly did not expect to see the president. Vladimir Putin asked them where they came from and how they were doing in the city. The townspeople eagerly praised Kazan. And the president, of course, agreed with them.

Which delegations have arrived in Russia to participate in the summit

The representative composition of the participants speaks to the mutual desire of Russia and the states of Southeast Asia to strengthen partnership, Vladimir Putin noted. All 11 participating countries are represented at a high or top level. ASEAN includes Brunei, Vietnam, East Timor, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

"What is important is that we stand together for the formation of a just system of the world order, we defend the principles of sovereign equality of states and non—interference in internal affairs," Vladimir Putin said at the ceremony.

Some foreign journalists have already managed to call the summit in Kazan "anti-G7". On June 17, the G7 meeting in the French city of Evian-les-Bains is just coming to an end. In particular, this is seen as a clear signal to the West about the end of its monopoly in world affairs. Russian experts also agree with this.

— The fact that the G7 summit in France and the ASEAN Summit in Kazan are taking place simultaneously shows: The world has ceased to be unipolar, and two centers of power are forming. Today, the G7 resembles a construction from the fairy tale "Urfin Jus and his wooden soldiers": the hegemon and the countries completely dependent on him, ready to do anything to please Washington, political analyst Dmitry Yelovsky told Izvestia.

This highlights Moscow's final turn to the East and the ineffectiveness of attempts to isolate it internationally. Obviously, the Kazan summit will strengthen Russia's position in the Asia-Pacific region and expand its partnership with Southeast Asia, experts are convinced.

How was the first meeting between the heads of Russia and the Philippines?

The delegations of the Philippines and Brunei were represented at the highest level. Vladimir Putin met with both leaders on the first day of the program. The Russian president began the series of meetings with the co—chairman of the summit, President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who arrived in Russia for the first time. Moreover, this is the first personal meeting of the heads of state. On June 18, they will have to hold a plenary session of the summit together, sum up the results in communication with the press.

— While we were sitting and talking with each other, we all recall the visit of your father, Ferdinand Marcos, to Moscow in 1976, which resulted in the adoption of a joint communique on the establishment of interstate relations. I would like to note that back then, in the realities of the Cold War, it required political will on the part of the Philippine leadership. Such a balanced and pragmatic approach to international relations is certainly in demand today," Vladimir Putin said.

Both leaders noted the good trade indicators and called the issue of energy one of the priorities for the countries. The leader of the Philippines is counting on joint business projects after talks with his Russian counterpart. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also invited Vladimir Putin to visit Manila in November to attend the ASEAN Summit.

This meeting is particularly noteworthy because the Philippines has traditionally been considered a key and almost the most loyal ally of the United States in the region.

Today, the Philippines can gain access to advanced technologies and ensure energy security, so cooperation with Moscow is seen as a way to reduce dependence on traditional suppliers and expand its ability to maneuver on the global stage, says political analyst Tatiana Kosacheva. In her opinion, despite the Philippines' status as a traditional ally of the United States, the very fact of the leaders' first face-to-face meeting testifies to Manila's desire to pursue a more independent and balanced foreign policy.

— The spirit of the meeting can be described as pragmatic and cautious. The parties demonstrate their willingness to overcome the inertia of the Cold War by focusing on national interests rather than ideological bloc preferences. This is a signal that the Philippines does not want to limit itself exclusively to the Western vector," she told Izvestia.

The 79-year—old Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, the longest-reigning monarch in the world, who has remained on the throne since 1967, also flew to Kazan. He is not only an absolute monarch, but also at the same time the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The last time he was in Russia was in 2016. Vladimir Putin called the monarch one of the most experienced heads of state in the world.

The first day of the summit clearly showed that the Kazan platform will become the starting point for the formation of an updated architecture of security and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. There is another day of hard work ahead, which will result in the signing of a package of strategic agreements in the field of trade, high technology and logistics.