(AseanAll)  — Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines co-chaired the 13th Philippines-Russia Political Consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on 26 November 2024 in Manila. 

The two sides discussed various areas of practical cooperation, including political, trade and investment, labor, agriculture, energy, outer space, cultural, education, among others. 

The two countries also held frank exchanges of views on regional and international issues, including Ukraine, the Middle East, and the South China Sea. On Ukraine, Lazaro stressed the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis, with a view to preventing further escalation of the conflict and the use of weapons of mass destruction by any country.

The two delegations looked forward to the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.