In telesummit with Duterte, Putin vows more deliveries of Sputnik V vaccines to PH

This file photo shows President Rodrigo Duterte greeting Russian President Vladimir Putin before the start of their bilateral meeting at the Vinpearl Da Nang Resort and Villas in Da Nang City, Vietnam on Nove. 10, 2017. (File photo by ALBERT ALCAIN / Presidential Photogrphers Division)

MANILA, Philippines — Russia will increase the volume of deliveries of its COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V to the Philippines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made the commitment in his conversation with President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, Malacañang said in a statement.

The two leaders had a telesummit to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia.

Duterte thanked Putin for making Sputnik V available to the Philippines as he stressed the importance of the quick delivery of vaccines.

The Philippines has so far received 80,000 Sputnik V doses, with the last batch, consisting of 50,000 doses, being delivered on May 31. The first two batches of with 15,000 doses each arrived on May 1 and May 12.

“The Philippines and Russia have indeed a lot to celebrate. Our cooperation continues to strengthen and gain new momentum,” Duterte said, as quoted in the Malacañang statement.

Duterte also committed that the Philippines will “sustain the current upward trajectory” of its partnership with Russia on trade and investment, defense, energy, space, and people-to-people exchanges.

The President noted the 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 also told Putin that Philippine companies were ready to export more products to Russia.

In turn, Putin conveyed appreciation for Duterte’s “personal contribution to the growth of bilateral relations” between Russia and the Philippines.

Putin also committed to further enhancing his country’s cooperation with the Philippines in COVID-19 vaccine access, trade and investments, energy, infrastructure development, defense, and military-technical cooperation.

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