FORMER President Rodrigo Roa Duterte believes that Ukraine has been left hanging, even though the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is not yet over.
In the latest episode of “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” with Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, the former President warned that if Ukraine is defeated, the situation for neighboring countries, which are also members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), would be perilous.
“You know, Putin is nervous because Ukraine and Russia are very close to each other. It’s just a thin line of boundary, just like our situation in the [South] China Sea, so, in his maybe insecurity or just to challenge the might of the Americans, he purposely invaded Ukraine. Now Ukraine was helped by America early on, [America] is an agitator, because they also made a provocation by insisting [Ukraine to] join NATO.”
“So Putin got agitated. Now, they’re supporting them,” according to FPRRD.
Ukraine faces munition shortage amid Israel-Hamas War
To recall, on November 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted that his country has received fewer artillery rounds since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7.
According to Zelenskyy, the competition for receiving munitions from the U.S. has intensified between Ukraine and Israel.
On November 18, Zelenskyy’s presidential aide, Mykhailo Podolyak, complained about the slow delivery of Western weapons and admitted that Ukraine’s counteroffensive operations against Russia are “probably” not proceeding “to the extent or at the speed” they would like.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress has failed to advance discussions on a new funding bill for Ukraine.
“Now, suddenly in the thick of the fight or in that season, the situation in Ukraine and suddenly America says, ‘We don’t have a budget.”
“For anybody, for that matter, we don’t have any. So now Ukraine is left hanging. Ukraine has to fight and finance the war, I don’t know from what sources. Hopefully, European countries will help them. But if Ukraine falls, then Poland, Finland, those Scandinavian countries above them are somewhat in danger,” Duterte added.
Meanwhile, the situation in Ukraine is compared to the tension brewing in the West Philippine Sea, and due to the ongoing global turmoil, former President Duterte believes that the United States cannot be relied upon in case a conflict breaks out.
“So, America. Well, they don’t pretend because they really spend [money], but at what time would they abandon you, that is the problem. So, you cannot rely.”
“Like when Biden talked to Xi Jinping, if a conflict breaks out, can we call upon the American forces to join the fray here? That’s the problem, America might say, “It’s a small matter. It’s just a boundary issue, why should we get involved? we’re friends”, that’s the problem. That is how life makes you turn around. You really need to be careful,” Duterte stated.
Pastor ACQ praises FPRRD’s foreign policy towards China
Meanwhile, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy praised the foreign policy of former President Duterte towards China and again compared the diplomacy of the Philippines and the United States with that of China.
“So, in your administration, you made a very wise move to not agitate anything that will exacerbate the trouble. We even became friends with Xi Jinping, and it has become a blessing to us. Now, some of our leaders are demonizing him. Others, like Biden, when Xi Jinping went to attend the APEC, he received a royal welcome in America.”
“Gavin Newsom of California was very royal to Xi Jinping, and also Pres. Biden, the two of them invited [Xi].”
“But here, in our case, we are making a belligerent move against China and Xi Jinping. So, this is the game of geopolitics,” according to Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.
FPRRD reiterates humility, diplomacy as a better solution for WPS
Meanwhile, former President Duterte has a message for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. regarding the issue in the West Philippine Sea.
“Mr. President, if you want to, go ahead. There are plenty of fishes there, it’s vast, so Filipinos can also fish. Just let it be without any conflict. Because what is on the other side of the table? What? We simply cannot afford it. So, it should come from us and be humble. That’s why for me, [it’s better to] talk,” Duterte stated.
It can be remembered that PBBM and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the APEC summit, where the two presidents agreed that the problems regarding South China Sea should not be the defining element of the relationship between the Philippines and China.
“That’s essentially the message that we spoke of to each other, that we were in agreement that the problems that we have in South China Sea, with China, should not be the defining element of our relationship,” according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
