Philippines to stay neutral over Ukraine-Russia war —incoming NSA Carlos

The Philippines under the next administration will keep its neutral stance over the Ukraine-Russia conflict, incoming National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos said on Friday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Carlos noted the country’s “very good relationship” with Russia in the past.

“Siguro, we will take a neutral stance, yun naman talaga ang ginawa natin (that’s actually what we are doing) from the beginning and we have a very good past relationship with Russia,” she said.

With this, Carlos said the Philippines may secure supply for its much-needed oil and gas from Russia.

Quoting her counterparts in Moscow, Carlos pointed out that the Philippines should take advantage of Russia's presumed pivot to Asian areas.

Carlos also discouraged the Philippines from joining the West's sanction mechanism on Russia due to the military operation in Ukraine.

In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation in Ukraine with explosions heard across the country and its foreign minister warning a "full-scale invasion."

Putin said he launched the operation to save Russian speakers in Ukraine from a "genocide" carried out by a "neo-Nazi" regime.

Ukraine called Russia’s action a “war of aggression.”  —LBG, GMA News