MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte will meet with Russian leaders again.

President Duterte is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev this week.

Medvedev met with President Duterte on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations  Summit in Laos in September last year while President Duterte met with President Putin when both of them attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in Peru last November.

At 2:30 p.m. today President Duterte is set to fly to Russia.

President Duterte’s visit in Russia will last until May 26.

Included in the delegation of the Chief Executive are some business leaders in the country and Cabinet members.

“We consider this visit as a landmark that will send a strong message Of the Philippines’ commitment to seek new partnerships and strengthen relations with non-traditional partners such as Russia,” DFA Asec. Maria Cleofe Natividad said.

Among the expected topics to be discussed during President Duterte’s four-day “landmark” visit in Russia are issues relative to defense, security, legal assistance, trade, investment and the use of nuclear energy.

“And for the defense cooperation, we look forward to having a greater exchanges in terms of views on how to approach security challenges, and we also look forward to strengthening our presence in terms of the defense offices both in Moscow and here in Manila,” Asec. Natividad said.

Meanwhile, President Duterte is set to visit the Filipino community in Russia.  — Leslie Longboen | UNTV News & Rescue