From My Readings This Week. Interesting and Surprising! Philippines link to the War in Ukraine!
Moscow, March 15, 2025 – In a surprising twist to the ongoing Ukraine peace negotiations, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that he will refuse to pursue a ceasefire or engage in further talks if former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte remains in custody at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The statement, made early Saturday morning at a press conference in Moscow, has thrown a new wrench into the delicate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Putin’s unexpected condition comes as Duterte, arrested earlier this week by Philippine authorities on an ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his “war on drugs,” arrived at The Hague on March 12. The 79-year-old former leader, known for his hardline policies and controversial rhetoric, faces charges of orchestrating systematic civilian killings during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president of the Philippines. His detention has already sparked global debate, but its sudden linkage to the Ukraine crisis has left diplomats and analysts scrambling to understand the Kremlin’s motives.
“I will not sit at a table to discuss peace while a leader who stood with us is shackled by a court that serves Western interests,” Putin said, his voice firm as he addressed reporters alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. “Duterte’s fate is a signal—if the ICC can take him, they will come for others who defy their order. This is not justice; it is a weapon. Until this changes, there will be no peace in Ukraine.”
The Russian leader’s remarks appear to reference a historical alignment between Moscow and Manila during Duterte’s presidency, which ended in 2022. In 2016, Duterte expressed admiration for Putin and even threatened to follow Russia’s lead in withdrawing from the ICC, calling it “useless” in response to criticism of his drug war. The two leaders met on several occasions, including a notable 2017 visit where Duterte sought modern arms from Russia to combat Islamist militants, signaling a pivot away from the Philippines’ traditional reliance on the United States. Putin now seems to frame Duterte’s ICC detention as a personal affront and a broader attack on anti-Western leaders.
The announcement has stunned negotiators, particularly as it follows a week of cautious optimism. On March 11, U.S. and Ukrainian officials, meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, agreed in principle to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, a plan endorsed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a potential stepping stone to a broader peace deal. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has prioritized ending the war since taking office in January, hailed the talks as “promising” and indicated readiness to speak directly with Putin. However, Putin’s new stance threatens to derail these efforts entirely.
Experts are divided on the rationale behind Putin’s ultimatum. “This could be a strategic move to complicate negotiations and shift focus away from Ukraine,” said Dr. Elena Petrova, a Russian foreign policy analyst at the Moscow Institute of International Relations. “By tying Duterte’s case to the talks, Putin may be signaling that he views the ICC as an extension of Western influence—one he’s unwilling to legitimize through cooperation.” Others suggest a more personal angle, noting Putin’s history of loyalty to allies who resist what he calls “globalist hegemony.”
In Kyiv, Zelenskyy dismissed Putin’s condition as “another manipulative tactic” to prolong the war. “He finds any excuse to avoid peace,” Zelenskyy said in a late-night address on Friday. “First it was NATO, then territory, now it’s a court case halfway across the world. This is not serious—it’s a game to waste time and lives.” Ukrainian officials have long insisted that negotiations hinge on Russia’s complete withdrawal from occupied territories, a demand Putin has repeatedly rejected.
The U.S. response has been measured but firm. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Washington, called Putin’s linkage of Duterte to Ukraine “baffling” but reiterated the administration’s commitment to the ceasefire plan. “We’re not here to negotiate ICC cases—we’re here to stop a war,” Rubio said. “The ball remains in Moscow’s court.” Trump, meanwhile, has yet to comment directly on the development, though aides say he is preparing for a possible call with Putin in the coming days.
Duterte’s detention has already polarized opinion globally. In The Hague, supporters and detractors clashed outside the ICC on Friday as the former president appeared via video link for an initial hearing. Human rights groups hailed his arrest as a landmark victory against impunity, while his allies, including daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, decried it as politically motivated “kidnapping.” The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, but the court retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed during Duterte’s presidency, a legal nuance that has fueled the controversy.
For now, Putin’s refusal to negotiate unless Duterte is released adds an unprecedented layer of complexity to the Ukraine talks. With Russian forces claiming recent gains in the Kursk region and Ukraine bracing for a difficult spring, the prospect of peace hangs in a fragile balance—one now inexplicably tied to a former Southeast Asian strongman’s fate in a Dutch courtroom.
Meanwhile, here are the real luxuries in Life:
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