PBBM says PH is in talks to buy fuel from Russia

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed n an interview on Friday that the Philippines is in discussions with Russia to purchase petroleum and other essential commodities, adding that the national interest transcends political concerns in regards to the conflict in Ukraine.

“Now maybe we need to approach Russia, say that maybe they can loosen up and provide us with fuel,” Marcos told Bloomberg TV, adding that the Philippines is “close” to striking deals with Russia and others.

On the question of US-led sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Marcos acknowledged that the “political side of it has been tricky,” but “national interest comes first.”

“We need to find those new sources of fuel. But that applies not only to fuel, it applies to things like feed, fertilizer, other inputs that are just critical for us,” Marcos said.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has led prices to surge in and out of the country that relies heavily on imports, has severely hurt the Philippine economy.