Duterte wants bilateral talks with Putin at Apec meet

Russian President Vladimir Putin AP FILE PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte is seeking a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leader’s meeting in Peru next week.

Duterte revealed this at a dinner with reporters in Malacanang on Tuesday night.

“Matuloy ho. Ako ang nanghingi niyan. Earlier tonight, I had a long talk with the ambassador of Russia. I reiterated my desire to meet Putin, bilateral,” he said.

The President said he would not bring up specific issues during his meeting with the Russian leader.

“Wala naman akong hingiin. I want to be friends with him. I just want the two countries to be the best of friends. This is an economic world. If there are things we can sell them or export sa kanila, eh di mas maganda,” he added.

Duterte on Tuesday met with Russian Ambassador Igor Anatolyevich Khovaev in Malacanang.