Duterte to assert independent foreign policy in Russia visit, meet with Putin in Sochi

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday left for Russia to attend speaking engagements and hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

A total of 15 Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. joined the presidential delegation as Duterte designated Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra as officer-in-charge of the national government during the trip.

Duterte’s October 1 to 5 trip to Russia will be a follow-up to his inaugural visit in May 2017, which was cut short by the conflict in Marawi City.

On Wednesday, Duterte will have separate meetings in Moscow with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Igor Sechin, head of Russia’s top oil producer Rosneft.

The President will then travel to the resort city of Sochi to speak at the Valdai Discussion Club on Thursday, a first for a Philippine leader.

The Valdai forum gathers world leaders, top Russian and international officials as well as policymakers and academics to discuss issues in line with this year’s theme  “The Dawn of the East and the World Political Order”

“This will be an opportune occasion to articulate, to a key audience, our independent Philippine foreign policy – one that is based on respect for sovereignty and non-interference, the time-honored principles of international law,” Duterte said in a speech in Pasay City prior to his departure for Russia.

“Apparently this most basic principle of a rule that governs the relations between nations have been forgotten by some idiots in some parts of the world.”

Duterte will have a bilateral meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Valdai forum. It will be the fourth meeting of the two leaders since November 2016.

“We will identify ways of further intensifying cooperation areas of security and defense, combatting terrorism and violent extremism, and addressing transnational crimes,” Duterte said.

“Certainly, I will take the opportunity to discuss regional and global developments that impact the Philippines and Russia as key points of convergence of national interests where we can work together.”

The two presidents will also witness the exchange of several bilateral agreements that cover political cooperation, health, science and technology and culture.

On Friday, Duterte will attend a business forum in Moscow aimed at promoting the trade and investment opportunities between the Philippines and Russia.

Another activity of the President in the Russian capital is the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree by the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, one of Russia’s most prestigious learning institutions. He is expected to give a lecture to Russia’s future diplomats.

His other scheduled activities in Moscow included a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Aleksandrovsky Garden, tour of the Kremlin Palace and attendance to a Filipino cultural performance.

Duterte will end his visit on Saturday with a meeting with the Filipino community there.

There are less than 7,000 Filipinos in Russia, mostly women, engaged in the service sector, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“This visit reaffirms the Philippines’ strong commitment to build a robust and comprehensive partnership with Russia. One that is based on shared interests, pragmatism, and mutual trust and respect,” Duterte said.

“[Geopolitical] realities and global developments require that nations like ours should have an agile foreign policy. While it is true that we value our long-standing partners, we must also be open to engage new ones.”

The President will be back in the Philippines on Sunday (October 6).  —LDF, GMA News