Jakarta. ASEAN chair, the Philippines, has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the upcoming Manila talks, although the latter has severely limited his overseas travel as an arrest warrant hangs over his head.

Southeast Asian leaders are now in Kazan as ASEAN seeks to forge closer ties with its decades-old partner, Russia.

Early on in the Kazan gathering, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had called on Putin to attend November’s so-called “East Asia Summit” in Manila. This is the annual premier forum meant to bring together Asia-Pacific leaders, including those from the world’s richest nations: China and the US, to discuss pressing issues. The host country also rotates depending on which country is helming the ASEAN grouping.

"East Asia Summit remains an integral part in maintaining a regional architecture towards our shared goal of a stable, secure, and prosperous region," Marcos told Putin on Wednesday local time, as seen in a video uploaded by the presidential media arm RTV Malacanang.

Chances are slim for Putin to head to Manila. Although the Kremlin has yet to accept or reject the invitation, Putin rarely travels abroad, even more so after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader over war crimes. Last year, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk was the one who addressed the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur. 

Marcos had previously asked Trump to come as well.

At the reception, Putin told the ASEAN members that he was upbeat about the outcome documents of their summit: the “Kazan Declaration” and the “Joint Plan of Action”. 

“Russia stands ready to continue its active engagement with ASEAN member states to reinforce our strategic partnership,” Putin said, according to a speech transcript published by the Kremlin.

“... in the interests of ensuring the security, well-being, and prosperity of our countries and peoples, as well as the broader Eurasian region.”

Foreign Minister Sugiono is representing Indonesia -- Southeast Asia’s biggest economy -- at the Kazan talks. President Prabowo Subianto decided to stay home to focus on domestic affairs. However, Prabowo had already visited Putin several times, with the latest trip having only taken place in April. 

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