RUSSIAN Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Ignatyevich Pavlov has commended the National Government for maintaining a “balanced and wise” approach towards their country’s current conflict with Ukraine.In a press conference held at the Cebu Country Club, Cebu City on Friday, April 1, 2022, Pavlov praised the country’s leadership for staying “neutral” as more countries led by the United States and European Union have expressed condemnation against Russia for waging war against Ukraine and has resulted to the implementation of various economic sanctions against the former.“I think keeping neutrality during this time should be a very good way to conserve our good relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of the Philippines,” Pavlov told reporters.Pavlov added that their country would like to finish the crisis with respect not only for the interest of the Russian Federation but also for the whole world.With the economic sanctions being imposed by Western countries, Pavlov said that this has created disruptions in logistic chains, finances, energy, agriculture, trade, and commerce in many countries.Pavlov said Russia can still survive within 70 years even with those economic sanctions still in place.Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. According to the Office of the United Nation’s Commission on Human Rights, a total of 1,179 Ukrainians have been killed while 1,860 others were reported hurt in the fighting as of Friday, March 29, 2022.Bilateral cooperationPavlov said the purpose of his visit in Cebu is to enhance the cooperation between the Russian Federation, and the local governments of Cebu City and Cebu Province.According to Pavlov, during his meeting with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, both leaders have expressed their desire and intention to increase cooperation and ties.Pavlov added the embassy will help the provincial government in attracting more Russian nationals to visit Cebu especially that the island is now open to foreign tourists.A sisterhood agreement is also being eyed between Cebu City and Vladivostok in Russia, said Pavlov.Nuclear power plantPavlov also mentioned that Russia’s state nuclear corporation is eyeing to continue its feasibility study for the establishment of a nuclear power plant in the country.The Russian nuclear firm is eyeing not only to activate the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant but also check other possible locations in the country, he added.Pavlov added that a representative from Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture is currently here in the country to strengthen the agricultural cooperation between the two nations.