Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<p>KAZAN, Russia — Russia backed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in underscoring the need to promote “freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce in accordance with international law,” but skipped a direct reference to the South China Sea, according to the Kazan Declaration that Russian and Southeast Asian leaders signed on Thursday. </p><p>While the 4-page Kazan Declaration was void of a direct mention of the South China Sea, Russia joined Southeast Asian leaders in acknowledging the validity of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an international law which claimant states in the strategic waters have been raising to protest against China’s sweeping claims in the strategic waters. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/18/putin-tells-marcos-good-potential-for-ph-russia-to-enhance-agriculture-energy-supply-ties-0126"><strong>Putin tells Marcos: &#x27;Good potential&#x27; for PH, Russia to enhance agriculture, energy supply ties</strong></a></div><p>The ASEAN and the Russian Federation “do hereby declare to foster maritime cooperation, as well as promote security, safety, and stability, peaceful resolution of disputes, freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the document read.</p><p>The two parties also commit to “enhance research activities with regard to biodiversity and sustainable use of marine resources, address challenges such as sea piracy, armed robbery against ships and threats to critical underwater infrastructure (CUI), and explore the possibility of establishing a dialogue mechanism” to address these issues, the document read.</p><p>The Kazan Declaration — a framework on how Russia and ASEAN would strengthen their ties in the next few years — also underscored the two parties’ commitment to “strengthen regional biological safety and security aimed at preventing and reducing public health hazards caused by infectious diseases and pandemics, climate change, urbanization, ecological shifts and potential bioterrorism.”</p><p>Aside from establishing man-made features far beyond its shores, China has also been accused of intentionally damaging undersea cables and marine resources that are within the exclusive economic zones of other nations. </p><p>“I&#x27;d like to highlight as well that Russia will continue to comprehensively facilitate ASEAN states in their effort to maintain peace and stability in Southeast Asia, and in a wider sense, in shaping around the Eurasian region of a robust, open, and holistic security system as well as multifaceted cooperation,” Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier said during the Joint Press Statement.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/18/marcos-putin-push-for-deeper-cooperation-between-asean-russia-2322"><strong>Marcos, Putin push for deeper cooperation between ASEAN, Russia </strong></a> </div><p>When asked what the Philippines — this year’s ASEAN chair — thought about the non-mention of the South China Sea in Russia’s commitment, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro said that Putin was merely speaking in broad terms.</p><p>“I think President Putin was just very general yung scope… I dont think he wants to go to the particulars,” Lazaro told reporters on the sidelines of the Summit. </p><p>The Philippines’ top diplomat, however, said that Eurasia’s largest economy may play a crucial role in bridging dialogues between ASEAN and China over maritime woes.</p><p>“I’m just saying that there is a possibility. It may be highly speculative but the possibility will always be there,” she said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/18/marcos-invites-putin-to-attend-east-asia-summit-in-manila-in-november-0035"><strong>Marcos invites Putin to attend East Asia Summit in Manila in November </strong></a> </div><p>Other commitments mentioned in the Kazan Declaration include the promotion of “shared interests in ensuring that the open, inclusive and ASEAN-centred regional architecture continues to foster peace, security, stability and prosperity” as well as mounting efforts to “strengthen dialogue on security matters to better address traditional and non-traditional security challenges.”</p><p>The Declaration also noted the Russia and ASEAN’s vow to “explore establishing a dialogue between ASEAN and Russia to facilitate coordination on tackling existing and potential biosecurity threats” and “endeavour to intensify efforts to enhance trade and investment, including in services.”</p><div> </div>

<p>Russia backed the ASEAN in underscoring the need to promote “freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce in accordance with international law,” but skipped a direct reference to the South China Sea, according to the Kazan Declaration that Russian and Southeast Asian leaders signed</p>

Russia backed the ASEAN in underscoring the need to promote “freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce in accordance with international law,” but skipped a direct reference to the South China Sea, according to the Kazan Declaration that Russian and Southeast Asian leaders signed

Russia backs ASEAN in upholding ‘freedom of navigation, overflight’

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Russia backs ASEAN in upholding ‘freedom of navigation, overflight’

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 20, 2026 12:08 AM PHT

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Updated June 20, 2026 12:38 AM PHT

Read More:

ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit

Vladimir Putin

Russia

ASEAN

South China Sea

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