The Philippines is determined to build “closer” relations with Russia but would not necessarily shut out the United States and other allies, Malacañang said yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella made the statement a day after President Duterte met Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev in Davao City on efforts to strengthen bilateral defense relations.
“The President’s decision to pivot with Russia forms part of his independent foreign policy. We seek new or enhanced partnerships based on equality,” Abella said in a statement. “This new alliance will not exclude other relationships.
The United States will remain an ally,” he added.
Abella affirmed that the President “sought closer ties” with Russia during his meeting with Patrushev last Thursday.
Among the topics tackled, Abella said, were the planned government-to-government cooperation in the fields of security, intelligence, terrorism, crime, and law enforcement.
He said the defense cooperation between the Philippines and Russia was “a concrete example of the improving ties between the two nations.” (Genalyn D. Kabiling)