MOSCOW (Sputnik) — President Duterte is expected to visit Moscow early this year at an invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a wide range of topics, including trade in weapons. Duterte has not ruled out a defense alliance with Russia.
"He has an invitation, the visit will take place this year, approximately in the warm season," Morgulov said.
Earlier in the day, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik that Manila is showing interest to purchasing Russian arms.
During a visit to Moscow in December 2016, Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Manila intended to build up its defense and security cooperation with Russia.
In January, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte went on board of the Admiral Tributs, Russian anti-submarine destroyer, which arrived in Manila.
