RUSSIA can be the Philippines’ partner and friend but cannot join it in a military alliance, Russian Ambassador Igor Kohvaev said Tuesday.
He told a forum that Russia was not seeking a military alliance from any members around the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, but was open to promoting better understanding with all countries.
“We are open for cooperation with all responsible members of the international community including the Philippines,” Kohvaev said.
He made his statement even as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he will visit Russia next week to “window-shop” for military equipment”•including sniper rifles”•for the Armed Forces.
“We will be visiting Russia to look into some of their military equipment that we can acquire, and one of the first things we will look into is their sniper rifles,” Lorenzana said.
Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte may visit Moscow in the spring time next year.
Kohvaev expressed optimism about strengthening Philippine-Russia diplomatic, economic, military, cultural, anti-crime and anti-terrorism cooperation.
Russia was against any close military alliances that usually target third-party countries, but only “close strategic partnerships with China, Vietnam and India,” he said.
But Russia could sell and export modern military equipment and arms to the Philippines, including support for military training and technology transfer, he said. He said Vietnam had been a good customer for Russian military exports for several decades.
He said Russia does not sell second-hand weapons or vehicles.
Russia is the world’s second most powerful nation after the United States, but Kohvaev said all countries must be treated equally.
“It is a pre-condition for a new world order, a new system of international relations to be based on equality and mutual responsibility. All of us depend on one another and all of us need each other,” he said.
Kohvaev backed the Philippines’ pursuit of an independent foreign policy that is most beneficial for the Philippines’ national interests.
He said Russia hoped to see the rise of “a new world order” where all countries big or small had mutual respect and non-interference in domestic affairs of each sovereign nation.
Unlike the US, Russia will not comment on the issue of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs, he said.
Kohvaev said they also not interfere in the West Philippine Sea dispute between the Philippines and China.
“Russia will not take any sides on this issue. It must be resolved by international law,” he said.
He wished the Duterte administration success in its anti-crime efforts and socioeconomic development policies, saying Russia supported and would cooperate with the Philippines’ anti-crime, anti-drugs and anti-terrorism efforts.
“We sincerely wish every success on your campaign. We understand well your legitimate concerns,” he said.