Duterte ‘possible’ to mediate in Russia-Ukraine conflict: Palace

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday raised the likelihood of President Rodrigo Duterte mediating to settle the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Duterte might be convinced to act as mediator between Russia and Ukraine, should world leaders ask for his help, acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.

“Kung hihilingin po iyan ng mga world leader, maaari naman po (If world leaders make a request, that’s possible),” Andanar said in an online press briefing, when asked if Duterte could serve as mediator between the two nations.

Andanar issued the statement, a day after former presidential spokesperson and senatorial aspirant Harry Roque said Duterte could serve as peacemaker between Russia and Ukraine, given the Philippines’ “neutral position and constitutionally-mandated foreign policy of peace with all nations.”

Roque said Duterte’s standing “among nations directly and indirectly involved in the Eastern European conflict” makes him qualified to bring the parties to achieve peace agreement.

In his Talk to the People taped Monday night but aired Tuesday morning, Duterte reiterated that the Philippines would remain neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Duterte, however, expressed hope that the standoff, which he branded as “stupid war,” would come to an end.

“I hope that this war, I said I call it a ‘stupid war,’ dapat mahinto na nila (they should stop it). At this time, we choose to remain neutral. Huwag na muna tayong makialam (Let us not interfere yet),” Duterte said.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has reported that around 10 million people have been displaced because of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The conflict between Moscow and Kyiv resulted in the rising prices of petroleum products and massive refugee problem in Eastern Europe.

The crisis also prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to raise an Alert Level 4 in Ukraine, giving way for the mandatory evacuation of Filipinos living in the war-torn country.

The DFA has so far assisted around 382 Filipinos to exit Ukraine since the invasion of Russia.

About 330 of 382 Filipinos have returned to the Philippines, while 52 others are in safe havens in other Eastern European nations.