Visit Russia, dispel stereotypes vs. us, envoy tells Pinoys

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Philippines Igor Khovaev and Joint Stock Company (JSC) Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on August 19, 2019. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev is inviting Filipinos to visit Russia and discover a country that is very different from how it is stereotyped in the movies.

“I invite all Filipinos, please go to Russia, discover my country,” Khovaev said in a CNN Philippines interview on Thursday.

“My country is much, much different from those aggressive Russian guys, as portrayed in Hollywood movies,” he added in jest.

The invitation came as the Russian government recently announced the free e-visa privilege for Filipinos traveling to Saint Petersburg and the surrounding region of Leningrad.

The e-visa is only valid for a maximum of eight travel days and is only available to those traveling for tourism, business, and humanitarian purposes.

While the visa privilege is quite limited, Khovaev said the move reflects Moscow’s will to increase its people-to-people ties with other nations, including the Philippines.

“I think it’s a very good step facilitating, encouraging people-to-people context and I believe that will continue at this path definitely,” he said.

“We Russians and Filipinos have a lot in common. We have the conditions to be good friends and partners,” he added.