Duterte, Putin meet online, renew PHL-Russia ties

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telesummit on Wednesday and committed to further enhance the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Russia.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“The Philippines and Russia have indeed a lot to celebrate. Our cooperation continues to strengthen and gain new momentum,” Duterte was quoted as saying.

In a statement, the Office of the President said the country’s chief executive vowed that the Philippines will “sustain the current upward trajectory” of the relations by deepening partnership, especially in trade and investment, defense, energy, space, and people-to-people exchanges.

He also noted positive developments in the procurement of 16 heavy lift helicopters, adding that the Philippines looks forward to cooperating with Russia to speed up modernization of defense assets and systems.

Duterte stressed the importance of improving market access of Philippine products to Russia, stating that Philippine companies are ready to export more products to Russia while noting that the Philippines has preferential access to global markets.

He likewise conveyed appreciation to the Russian government for the warm hospitality extended to more than 10,000 Filipinos in Russia.

For his part, Putin considered the Philippines as a “key partner” in Southeast Asia with Russia and the Philippines sharing similar positions on many regional and international issues allowing for tighter cooperation in key multilateral platforms in the future.

He highlighted Russia’s readiness to further enhance bilateral engagement in various areas, including Covid-19 vaccine access, trade and investments, energy, infrastructure development, defense, and military-technical cooperation.

Russia, according to him, is also ready to import more Philippine agricultural products, support transportation infrastructure projects, help build the country’s renewable energy facilities, and supply military equipment.

Putin also conveyed appreciation for Duterte’s personal contribution to the growth of bilateral relations.

The Philippines established diplomatic relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics through a Joint Communiqué signed by President Ferdinand Marcos and Supreme Soviet Presidium President Nikolai Podgorny on 2 June 1976.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union on December 26, 1991, the obligations arising from bilateral agreements were assumed by the Russian Federation which the Philippines formally recognized on December 28, 1991.

The post Duterte, Putin meet online, renew PHL-Russia ties first appeared on .

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)