MANILA – After his first state visit was cut short two years ago, President Rodrigo Duterte is set to return to Russia early next month after President Vladimir Putin invited him.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte accepted Putin’s invitation to visit Moscow on the first week of October.
“Ang sabi niya ay inimbitahan siya ni Russian President at tinanggap na niya. Ia-announce niya na lang kung ano ang mangyayari doon,” Panelo added.
“When you visit a country other than yours, it means you are trying to improve the relations. It could mean further improved relations between the two countries,” he said.
Duterte first visited Russia on May 2017 but he was forced to return home due to the deadly clashes between government troops and Islamic State-linked militants in Marawi City.
Duterte revitalized the country’s economic and defense relations with Russia as he deplored the interference from other western powers on local affairs.
The President also extended his gratitude for Russia for its timely delivery of weapons and other equipment which helped defeat the Islamic State-linked militants in Marawi./PN
