IANS
Manila
Two Russian destroyers and a tanker docked here on Monday amid the annual Balikatan joint exercises between the Philippines and US which will end on April 12.
The destroyers Admiral Tributs and Vinogradov–classified as "large, anti-submarine ships”–docked in Manila along with the Admiral Irkut, a "large sea tanker”, kicking off a five-day goodwill visit by the Russian Pacific Fleet, the Philippines News Agency reported. It is the second time in 2019 Russian vessels docked in the Philippines.
Russia and the Philippines are due to sign a naval cooperation agreement, likely in July, which will reportedly involve more joint training exercises and reciprocal port visits, CNN reported. The Russian warships arrival comes amid the annual Balikatan joint exercises between the Philippines and US. Russian Navy Captain Sergey Alantiev said that "the visit of the Russian ships emphasized the Philippines’ continued pursuit of an independent foreign policy under the Duterte administration, which also includes a pivot to China”.
Manila
Two Russian destroyers and a tanker docked here on Monday amid the annual Balikatan joint exercises between the Philippines and US which will end on April 12.
The destroyers Admiral Tributs and Vinogradov–classified as "large, anti-submarine ships”–docked in Manila along with the Admiral Irkut, a "large sea tanker”, kicking off a five-day goodwill visit by the Russian Pacific Fleet, the Philippines News Agency reported. It is the second time in 2019 Russian vessels docked in the Philippines.
Russia and the Philippines are due to sign a naval cooperation agreement, likely in July, which will reportedly involve more joint training exercises and reciprocal port visits, CNN reported. The Russian warships arrival comes amid the annual Balikatan joint exercises between the Philippines and US. Russian Navy Captain Sergey Alantiev said that "the visit of the Russian ships emphasized the Philippines’ continued pursuit of an independent foreign policy under the Duterte administration, which also includes a pivot to China”.