Palace: Putin to miss APEC due to plane crash probe

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally informed Philippine President Benigno Aquino III that he cannot attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Manila next week because he has to focus on the Russian passenger jet crash that killed over 200 of his citizens.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a news briefing on Friday, November 13, that Putin called Aquino on Thursday night, November 12, to relay the reason for his non-attendance at the APEC meeting.

“President Aquino replied that he understood fully well the issues that are confronting the Russian government, and that he also understands the need of President Putin to stay in his country to ensure that the reasons behind some of their domestic issues are fully investigated and threshed out,” Valte said.

When asked, Valte said Putin referred to the ongoing investigation on the Russian passenger jet that was downed in Egypt.

Britain’s foreign minister had said that it is highly likely that a bomb planted by an Islamic State (ISIS) group supporter downed the Russian plane.

“A number of Russians suffered or perished in that crash. The President did extend his understanding on the loss of life and recognized fully well that it is a cause for concern for President Putin,” Valte said.

The Kremlin, the official website of the President of Russia, said in a post on November 12, that Putin’s phone conversation with Aquino included the Russian side’s initiative in APEC, and Russia’s representative to the summit.

“The two leaders had a constructive discussion of bilateral cooperation matters and preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to be held in Manila on November 18-19, in which the Russian delegation headed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will take part,” it said.

Jokowi ‘unlikely’ to attend

In a news briefing on Friday, Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, Philippine Foreign Affairs Spokesman, said Indonesian President Joko Widodo is “most likely” unable to attend APEC Manila as well.  (READ: Putin, Jokowi skipping APEC Manila).

“As to President Widodo, the Philippines is awaiting formal confirmation from the Indonesian government on their representative to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting next week,” Jose said.

“Although we regret that President Joko Widodo would most likely be unable to attend the summit, the Philippines understands that pressing matters back home require his immediate attention,” he added.

Asked for the reason behind Widodo’s unlikely presence at APEC Manila, Valte said in the Palace briefing,  “Our friends from Indonesia cited domestic issues that need to be attended to, but no specifics.”

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said on Thursday that according to a senior Indonesian official, Widodo might be represented by his trade minister.

Del Rosario said the Indonesian official explained that Widodo is “coming from the G20 Meeting in Turkey,” and also has to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. – with reports from Paterno Esmaquel II/Rappler.com