UKRAINE President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday met with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in an unannounced courtesy call, as the Palace later called it. The two leaders earlier attended the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Shangri-La Singapore although on separate days, and did not have an opportunity to talk there, even on the sidelines of the event.
The Philippines’ relations with Ukraine began with a formal agreement in 1992. Neither country has a resident ambassador. Ukraine has a non-resident ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia while the Philippines is represented by its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
As regard trade, Ukraine ranks among the leading exporters of barley, wheat, wheat flour and wheat products. During the last 26 years, Philippine exports to Ukraine have increased at an annualized rate of 14.4%, from $1.24 million in 1996 to $41.1 million in 2022.
Ukraine exported $12.5 million worth of products to the Philippines in 2022.
‘Zelenskyy’s visit to Malacañang resulted in serious discussions about establishing a regular embassy of Ukraine in Manila, with a regular resident ambassador, and vice versa.’
In international politics, the Philippines has supported a United Nations resolution demanding that Russia withdraw from Ukraine. Russia launched its special military operations in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian war that started in 2014. Apart from Manila, 140 others voted in favor of the resolution that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 11th emergency special session. Seven voted against – Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria – while 32 abstained, including China, India, Iran, Lao PDR, South Africa, Vietnam and Pakistan.
The Assembly, through the resolution, reiterated its demand that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine and called for a cessation of hostilities.”
The UN resolution reaffirmed that no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force would be recognized as legal. It also deplored the dire human rights and humanitarian consequences of Russia’s aggression, “including the continuous attacks against critical infrastructure across Ukraine with devastating consequences for civilians.”
The Philippines has reiterated its call on parties involved in the ongoing Ukraine war to settle the conflict peacefully, a call originally made on the first anniversary of Russia’s push into Ukraine territory.
“On the 1st anniversary of Russia’s launch of special military operations in Ukraine, the Philippines continues to call on the parties to settle the conflict through peaceful and diplomatic means,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said, stressing that 140 other United Nations member states voted in favor of a resolution underscoring the need for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
The Department noted that Manila had backed five UN resolutions supporting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine and other UN member states.
Several months ago, Marcos and Zelenskyy talked by telephone, during which the President assured Ukraine of the Philippines’ continuing support and participation in any effort to reach a peaceful resolution of the crisis. Despite similar efforts by other world leaders, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Malacañang resulted in serious discussions about establishing a regular embassy of Ukraine in Manila, with a regular resident ambassador, and vice versa. This is just proper, as both countries maintain good standing in the community of nations.
