US begins to recruit mercenaries for Ukrainian army in the Philippines — Russian MFA

US representatives have launched a campaign in the Philippines to recruit local citizens to fight on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

"According to incoming information, US representatives have launched a campaign in the Philippines to recruit local citizens to fight on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces. The American company RMS International, based in Florida, is recruiting candidates. Preference is given to former employees of the Philippine police and security agencies and retired military personnel," she said.

Zakharova clarified that "citizens of that country who sign a contract are issued a Schengen work visa at the consular section of the German embassy in Manila."

"The German embassy in Manila, the Philippines, issues Schengen visas to contractors planning to participate in the armed conflict on the side of the terrorist regime in Kiev," she went on to say. "Who do you think is listed as the employer? Berlin-based private security companies. Upon arrival in Germany, the recruits are transferred to other countries, including those in the European Union, for example, to Poland, and then to Ukraine. What guarantee is there that they won't be sent elsewhere? None."

Zakharova noted that, at the same time, Russians, at the instigation of the European Commission, are subjected to harassment and rudeness when they "come to the embassies of EU countries for visas to visit these countries for peaceful purposes, to go to museums, theaters, to buy something, to travel somewhere, to relax, to visit friends and relatives."[TASS]