Philippines, Ukraine vow stronger ties in Marcos-Zelensky meet

MANILA, Philippines (Updated, 11:52 a.m.) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met on Monday at Malacañan, pledging to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries as Russia's war on the eastern European nation continues to rage.

Zelensky arrived in Manila on Sunday evening for a one-day working visit after attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where he sought support for a global peace conference in Switzerland and appealed for more military aid for Ukraine.

He expressed his gratitude for the Philippines' support of Ukraine and for Marcos' stance on the issues impacting the country, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

"We're thankful to be here in your country, and which supports Ukraine, our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Thank you so much for your "big word" and clear position about us, about this Russian occupation of our territories, and thank you for your support," Zelensky said in a meeting with Marcos.

Marcos assured Zelensky that Manila will continue to help Kyiv in any way possible.

"We will continue to do all that we can to promote peace and to bring an end to the fighting and to come to a political resolution of your country," Marcos said.

In 2022, Marcos described the war between Russia and Ukraine as "unacceptable." The Philippines has consistently opposed and condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, joining votes on related resolutions at the United Nations.

Zelensky also told Marcos that Ukraine is set to open its embassy in Manila this year.

The diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Ukraine span 32 years, having been formally established in April 1992.

In 2022, Ukraine ranked as the Philippines' 90th trading partner, 119th export market, and 76th import source.

The eastern European country served as a second home to nearly 200 Filipinos. However, the number declined to only around 25, mostly Filipinos married to Ukranians, due to the ongoing war.

Peace summit

In Singapore, Zelensky urged leaders in Asia-Pacific to join the Swiss-organized peace summit, which Ukraine hopes to garner broad international support for its vision of the terms needed to end Russia's war.

In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the armed conflict that started in 2014.

Zelensky accused China of "working hard" to prevent countries from going to the peace conference, which Beijing has publicly criticized because Russia is not invited.

Over 100 countries and organizations had signed up to join the summit. Zelensky said on X that the Philippines will participate in the event.

Marcos also attended the Shangri-La Dialogue, a conference that draws defense officials from around the world, where he spoke critically of Beijing.

"Illegal, coercive aggressive and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdictions," Marcos said.

"I do not intend to yield. Filipinos do not intend to yield," he added. — with report from Agence France-Presse