The Latest on Southeast Asia: Energy Crises Dominated the ASEAN-Russia Summit

Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Kazan, Russia on June 18, 2026, for a commemorative summit to mark 35 years of ASEAN-Russia relations. Co-chaired by Philippine president and current ASEAN chair Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Russian president Vladimir Putin, the summit yielded four outcome documents focused on energy cooperation, cultural cooperation, the implementation of the ASEAN-Russian Federation Strategic Partnership through 2030, and recognizing diplomatic accomplishments between Russia and ASEAN nations over the last 35 years. 

The timeliest of the four outcomes was the Joint Statement of ASEAN and the Russian Federation on Energy Cooperation. ASEAN member states, feeling the pinch of rising energy prices in the aftermath of the Iran War, produced a joint statement with Russia on energy cooperation to secure affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems.

Energy issues remain top of mind for ASEAN countries as they continue to calibrate their foreign policy approach to meet basic domestic needs. The economic strain caused by the Iran War has led to significant disquiet in ASEAN countries. Though President Marcos in his position as ASEAN chair pushed for the ratification of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security during the ASEAN Summit in May, no united ASEAN front for energy cooperation has emerged, mostly giving way to bilateral deals. 

In a bilateral meeting between President Marcos and President Putin on the sidelines of the summit, the two leaders discussed expanded cooperation in trade and energy. Marcos expressed his interest in partnering with Russia to push forward the Philippines’ nascent nuclear energy program to diversify its power resources. Much like its neighbors Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, the Philippines sought oil from Russia to ensure supply and ease domestic pain. No immediate energy deal was made between the Philippines and Russia.

Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, meanwhile, secured assurances of long-term oil, gas, and diesel from Russia for the next 20 years after his bilateral discussions with President Putin. Like the Philippines, Malaysia is seeking greater energy cooperation with a diverse set of partners. Anwar visited Turkmenistan before the ASEAN-Russia summit, where he secured PETRONAS access to Turkmen gas fields.

Singapore, in a pragmatic move given the gravity of the energy crisis and its upcoming ASEAN chairmanship year, marked its highest-level exchange with Russia since then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with President Putin in 2018. Singaporean prime minister Lawrence Wong met with President Putin to discuss areas of cooperation for Singapore, ASEAN, and Russia, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, pragmatism, and constructive cooperation. Singapore was the only ASEAN member state to issue sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Given global headwinds and significant challenges ahead, values and principles may give way to a more transactional, pragmatic approach from ASEAN member states moving forward. 

Japhet Quitzon is an Associate Fellow for the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. 

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