When an Irishman became Russia’s first envoy to the Philippines
Contrary to popular belief that Russia’s interest in Southeast Asia is a relatively new phenomenon, Moscow started looking east as early as the 18th century. In ‘Philippines-USSR Relations: A study in Foreign Policy Development,’ F. Landa Jocano writes that in 1722, Fyodor Semyonov, Governor of Siberia suggested to Emperor Peter the Great that Russia explore the Far East via India and the Philippines to establish trade links.
Читать дальше...