PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have become his "fast friends."
“You know, we have become fast friends [with] President Putin and President Xi Jinping,” Duterte told reporters in Lima, Peru.
The President made the statement after his separate bilateral meetings with the two leaders at the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summits last Saturday.
“It seemed like we’ve known each other for a long time and even [by] the way we pat each other’s hand in a handshake,” he added.
It was the first time Duterte met Putin, while he already held bilateral negotiation with Xi when he made an official visit to China last October.
Duterte also recounted how Putin invited him to visit Russia.
“When I finally sat down, I found out that President Putin was on my left so we shook hands,” Duterte said. “And after that, I shook his hands again and I finally said, ‘I go ahead.’ Then he gestured to me, ‘Don’t forget to visit Russia.’”
Duterte could not even forget how Putin had invited him “four times” to visit Russia.
He then expressed openness to go to Russia in time.
“He has extended the gracious invitation maybe about four times already. And maybe I will go. Maybe I shall. What’s the right word? Shall or will? I shall go someday but not on a wintry night. I can’t stand cold,” the President said.
Duterte was also euphoric over his interaction with Putin, who he said was all smiles during their bilateral meet.
“It was something that you feel because his (Putin) smile was wide. According to news reports he’s not smiling. But he was smiling all along. He said, ‘Do not forget to go to Russia because I reserve something for you there.’ ‘Is it true?’ ‘Gun.’ He likes guns.”
Duterte has been vocal to open an alliances with Russia and China, which he believe are both willing to help his administration. (Sunnex)
