Duterte to discuss Ukraine situation with gov't, business execs

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to meet his Cabinet secretaries, officials of law enforcement agencies, and business executives on Tuesday to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Tomorrow, I will be calling for a special meeting, we will discuss what is evolving, happening in Europe. I want you to listen to how important it is na malaman natin ang lahat [that we know everything]," Duterte said Monday night's Talk to the People, a portion of which was aired Tuesday morning.

"I'll be meeting the police, military, itong lahat ng negosyante [business executives], para maintindihan natin ito [so we could understand this]," he said.

Duterte said acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles will be the sole spokesperson on what will transpire during the meeting.

"I am assigning Secretary Nograles as sole spokesperson. I will meet the military, police, Cabinet members, but maybe not all of them.  But it is an invitation for all so we can exchange ideas and come up with a sensible front on how to handle these things," Duterte said.

Russia's unprovoked assault on Ukraine has prompted the United States, Canada and European Union countries to slap sanctions on Russia, including freezing of bank deposits, stoppage of gas pipelines and military exports to Russia, among others.

The Philippines on Monday said it will vote yes to a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia's "unprovoked armed aggression" in Ukraine.  —KBK, GMA News