SOCHI – Ipinagmalaki ng Malacañang ang umano’y mabungang bilateral meeting nina Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.
Sinabi ni Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, dito ipinaabot ni Pangulong Duterte ang kagalakang muling makita ang Russian leader at pagpapasalamat sa imbitasyong dumalo sa Valdai Forum, gayundin sa mainit na pagtanggap sa kanyang delegasyon.
Ayon kay Sec. Panelo, tinalakay nina Pangulong Duterte at Pres. Putin ang “remarkable progress” sa Philippines-Russia relations matapos nitong isulong ang pagbabago ng traditional partnerships sa ibang bansa at pagpapalalaim ng ugnayan sa mga tinatawag na non-traditional partners gaya ng Russia at China.
Partikular na tinukoy ni Pangulong Duterte ang paglalayag ng Philippine Navy vessel sa Russia noong nakaraang taon, isang natatanging “goodwill visit” na hindi nagawa o nangyari sa mga nagdaang mga administrasyon.
“President Duterte told President Putin the remarkable progress of Philippines-Russia relations after he sought the rebalancing of traditional partnerships and the deepening of relations with non-traditional partners at the onset of his Administration,” ani Sec. Panelo.
“PRRD specifically cited a Philippine Navy vessel which sailed to Russia last year – an unprecedented goodwill visit never been done in previous governments. Also, the President mentioned the opening of defense attaches in both countries, which is an indication of the long-term commitment to enhance defense relations between the Philippines and Russia.”
