Malacañang Golf (MALAGO) Clubhouse, Malacañang Park, Manila
April 13, 2021

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the Philippine delegation and spoke with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation through a phone call during the Philippines – Russia Telesummit.

The two (2) leaders discussed areas of cooperation on security and defense, with the Philippine Chief Executive conveying his satisfaction on the support that the country received from Russia in upgrading its military program.

Both nations will also strengthen cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, especially with ongoing efforts of the Philippine Government to procure Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.

Developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, the Sputnik V, also called Gam-COVID-Vac, is one of four (4) COVID-19 vaccines granted with an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 19 March 2021.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go (Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations), Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Robert Borje, and DFA Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor Ledda joined President Duterte in the Philippines – Russia Telesummit.

* * *