President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Sunday (Manila time) to foster stronger trade relationship between the two countries.

Duterte, in a bilateral meeting with Putin at the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader’s meeting in Peru, told his Russian counterpart of the Philippine intention to be part of Europe in terms of commerce and trade.

“We’ve been longing to be part of Europe especially in commerce and trade around the world,” he said.

He also discussed how Western nations "bully" small countries and how they are into so much "hypocrisy."

"I see a lot of these Western nations bullying small nations. And not only that, they are into so much hypocrisy," Duterte said.

“They seem to start a war but are afraid to go to war. That is what’s wrong with American and the other,” he explained.

He said weapons of mass destruction became the reason for Western nations to start war in many places such as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

"They insist if you are allied with them that they follow you. They go to the Korean war, nothing happened. They got defeated," he said.

Duterte also complained about how the West forced his country to contribute military forces on their war against other countries.

“They also got soldiers, Filipino soldiers in both Iraq and Vietnam and nothing happened, they lost,” he added.

The President said "there are things that I see which is not a good idea” to ally with US.

Duterte earlier said that he wants the Philippines to further open trade and commerce with Russia and China and to separate from the US in terms of commerce and military.

Meanwhile, Putin congratulated Duterte for his victory on the May 9 elections, saying it was the same date when they won the war against the Nazis group.

“This year marks 40th anniversary since diplomatic ties between our countries established back in time,” he said.

Putin said in such a short period of time, Duterte was able to do a lot in terms of developing all-round partnership between the two countries.

“And with respect to promoting greater trust and confidence between us,” he added.

Duterte said in several occasions that the Russian president is his idol for being a good leader.

During the meeting, Putin extended a formal invitation for Duterte to visit Russia to further open more agreements between the two countries, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Pasay Jr. said.

“Russian President Putin has formally extended an invitation for the President to go to Russia, which will be preceded by a trip that I will have to undertake there this December," he said.

Duterte, meanwhile, failed to attend the Gala Dinner for APEC Leaders because he was "not feeling well," according to Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Yasay, instead, represented Duterte in the dinner hosted by Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Ella Dionisio/DMS