Domestic issues force Putin to miss APEC meet

MANILA, Philippines - The Russian jetliner that was downed over Egypt and other domestic problems prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to skip next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila.

It would have been the first visit to the Philippines by a Russian leader.

Officials declined to comment on speculative reports that threats posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria prompted Putin to cancel his visit. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the downing of the Russian jetliner.

Putin called President Aquino Thursday night to explain his absence as well as discuss “bilateral cooperation,” according to Malacañang.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing that Putin told Aquino over the phone of his reasons for skipping the APEC summit, including the downing of the Russian jetliner.

She said Putin also informed Aquino that Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev would lead the Russian delegation to the APEC summit on Nov. 18-19.

“I say ‘downed’ because there is an ongoing investigation as to the reasons for it going down and, as you know, a number of Russians suffered or perished in that crash,” Valte said.

“The President (Aquino) 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.

At the APEC international media center, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose declined to comment on reports that threats from ISIS prompted Putin to skip the APEC meet.

“I can’t confirm that. I have no information on the reason given by President Putin to President Aquino,” he said.

The extremist ISIS purportedly released a video and audio statement threatening to attack Russia “very soon” because of Putin’s support for Syrian leader Bashar Hafez al-Assad and his launching of air strikes on the militants’ positions.

Valte said Aquino also understood fully well the need for Putin to stay in his country to “ensure that the reasons behind some of their domestic issues are fully investigated and threshed out.”

A bilateral meeting had actually been scheduled between Aquino and Putin on the sidelines of the summit.

Valte said she was not sure if a bilateral meeting would push through with Medvedev.

On the absence of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Valte said Manila was informed verbally that the Indonesian leader would also have to attend to domestic issues.

“It is quite regretful that President Joko Widodo will most likely be unable to attend the summit. We understand that the pressing matters back home require his immediate attention,” Valte said.

Valte said even reports that Vice President Jusuf Kalla would represent Widodo in the summit are still being confirmed.

Valte said massive haze caused by raging forest fires forced the Indonesian leader to cut short his first ever visit to the United States. – Pia Lee Brago