"The Philippines deeply appreciates and fully supports Russia's stated policy of increased focus and attention to East Asia. This comes at the times when the Philippines is turning towards Russia to boost cooperation. The timing is perfect. The Philippines' pivot meets Russia's rebalance," Yasay said at the press-conference after the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.
Relations between Moscow and the West deteriorated significantly in 2014 after Crimea voted to reunite with Russia and as military clashes escalated in eastern Ukraine. Amid the setback in relations with the Western partners, Moscow has announced a "pivot" toward Asia in order to enhance the level of cooperation with the states in the region.
Earlier in the year, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced a policy of "separation" of the country's foreign policy and said that Manila would seek closer ties with Moscow and Beijing.
