Outgoing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on May 23 criticized the killing of civilians in Ukraine, describing Russia’s invasion as “a war against a sovereign nation”.

In a televised speech broadcast Monday, Duterte urged Russian president Vladimir Putin to rein in his soldiers in Ukraine who he said were “out of control, killing,” according to a translation of his remarks by Rappler.

“I would ask Putin to hear me because President Putin you are in control of everything,” he said in English, while going on to describe the Russian president as a “friend” .

Addressing the Russian embassy, he said there was a “moral obligation” to protect innocent civilians, children, and the elderly.

Duterte also criticized the invasion, saying the move was “not a special military operation” but “a war against a sovereign nation.”

“You have to solve the war between Ukraine and Russia before we can talk of even returning to normalcy," he said in relation to rising oil and gas prices. Credit: Radio Television Malacanang via Storyful