Duterte invites Putin again to visit PH

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Philippine’s President Rodrigo Duterte prior to their meeting at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on October 3, 2019. (Photo by Mikhail KLIMENTYEV / Sputnik / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has again invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the Philippines “as soon as circumstances allow” to reaffirm the ties between the two nations.

The President made the remarks on Wednesday as he met with the new Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov, Malacañang said.

“It will be an opportunity to celebrate and reaffirm the enduring friendship and cooperation between our countries,” Duterte said, as quoted in a Palace statement.

The President said this as he noted the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and its “good friend and partner” Russia.

Duterte also took the opportunity to thank Russia for its offer to supply the Philippines with its Spuntik V vaccine and share its technology on vaccine reproduction.

Pavlov, for this part, said Russia is keen on stepping up efforts to “promote people-to-people connectivity through cultural and educational exchanges.”

The Russian envoy also noted that the “possible distribution and production” of Sputnik V in the Philippines would greatly contribute to the growth of Russian-Philippine relations.

Prior to the pandemic in October 2019, then Russian Ambassador to the Philippine Igor Khovaev said Putin already accepted Duterte’s invitation to visit the country.

Meanwhile, Duterte already made two official visits to Russia in 2017 and 2019.

CFC