The president of the Philippines told a story that surprised Putin

President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in an interview with RT, told how he surprised Russian leader Vladimir Putin with a story about Filipino tourists in Irkutsk.

He said that Putin asked what the Filipinos were doing in a city where they had an unusually cold climate.

According to Marcos Jr., he also asked this question in response, noting that Filipinos adapt well to various conditions and will be able to find activities for themselves even in severe weather.

The President of the Philippines also added that the expansion of flights between the two countries can contribute to the growth of tourist flow to Russia.

ASEAN of Hope: Philippines requested Marcos Jr.'s first face-to-face meeting with Putin

The leaders' talks are scheduled to take place in Kazan at the Russian Federation–Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

At a meeting with the Philippine leader on June 17, the Russian president noted that the trade turnover between Russia and the Philippines exceeded $500 million in 2025, but this is "far from the limit." He added that this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In turn, Marcos Jr. said that the current level of bilateral trade does not yet reflect the full potential of relations between the two countries.