Why US and China are watching Philippines’ Marcos Jnr at Russia-Asean talks

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr will travel to Russia next week for a summit with Moscow and Southeast Asian leaders in a visit analysts say will allow Manila to show it can fulfil its role as Asean chair while keeping diplomatic channels open with major powers, despite closer security ties with Washington.While the trip is unlikely to signal a shift in Philippine foreign policy, observers say it will be watched closely in both Washington and Beijing for any concrete outcomes on energy, sanctions-sensitive sectors or wider strategic cooperation with Moscow.Marcos is scheduled to visit Kazan from June 17 to 18 for the Russia-commemorative-summit" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="143594" data-entity-type="event">Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit, his first visit to Russia since taking office in 2022.