Push Admin

Despite warship visit, Russia says not seeking military ties with PH

Article (news)

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/01/4/russiannvayvessel-010417.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Russian navy vessel, Admiral Tributs, a large anti-submarine ship, is seen as it docks at the south harbor port area in metro Manila, Philippines January 3, 2017. Romeo Ranoco, Reuters</div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA – Russia has no plans to enter into a formal military alliance with the Philippines, its ambassador to Manila said Wednesday. “We don’t seek military alliance with the Philippines. As I understand, our Filipino partners don’t need a military alliance with Russia either. What we are seeking is a cooperation in those fields where our two countries need each other,” Igor Khovaev told reporters on board a Russian vessel that recently docked in Manila.“Principally, we are against any close military alliances in the Asia Pacific region because the security must be transferred, must be equal for all members of the international community and not only for the selected few,” he added. But while Russia has no intentions of building a military alliance with the Philippines at this point, Moscow is interested in holding activities with Manila that are mutually beneficial, Khovaev said. “We have an objective need to develop very actively our Far Eastern and Siberian regions. It’s not possible to fulfill these tasks without a full-fledged integration of Russia into Pacific multilateral cooperation mechanisms,” he said.Khovaev also downplayed questions pertaining to Russia’s traditional rival, the US, particularly the latter’s long-standing military alliance with the Philippines.He said Philippines’ decision to seek closer ties with Russia has nothing to do with it’s current relations with the US.“I think it’s time to get rid of outdated clichés. It’s time to get rid of prejudices. As far I understand the Philippines, there is an objective need to diversify the range of circle of your foreign partners” Khovaev said.“We are talking about diversification. It’s a not a choice between these partners and those ones. Diversification means reserving, keeping traditional old partners and getting new ones.”President Rodrigo Duterte has been seeking to establish closer relations with Moscow as he tries to shift away from US, which has criticized his policies on human rights and war on drugs.Duterte has repeatedly expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin while lambasting outgoing US President Barack Obama for criticizing his government’s war on drugs.Russia has since returned the favor to the Duterte administration, offering weapons to Manila and sending its two warships here for the first official interaction between the Philippine and Russian navies.“You play a significant role in regional affairs. That’s why our interests are very clear. We need new partners including the Philippines. I have strong belief it’s time for Filipinos to discover Russia and it’s time for Russia to discover the Philippines.”The Russian vessels’ visit to the Philippines comes in the wake of Duterte’s repeated threats to downgrade Manila’s military relations with the US.Aside from the criticism to his war on drugs, a US senator’s reported threat to block a firearms sale to the Philippines and a US agency’s decision to withhold aid have triggered strong words from the tough-talking Filipino leader.

Russia has no plans to enter into a formal military alliance with the Philippines, its ambassador to Manila said Wednesday.

Russia has no plans to enter into a formal military alliance with the Philippines, its ambassador to Manila said Wednesday.

Despite warship visit, Russia says not seeking military ties with PH

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Despite warship visit, Russia says not seeking military ties with PH

Dharel Placido,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 04, 2017 05:45 PM PHT

Read More:

Russia

Philippines

Igor Khovaev

diplomacy

Rodrigo Duterte

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.