(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Malacañang and discussed defense and security issues facing their countries.
Zelenskyy's brief stop in Manila comes after his "surprise" participation in the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where Marcos delivered the keynote address.
"It is a great pleasure to meet with you to discuss some of the issues that are common to our two countries and hopefully find ways for both of us [to work] together," Marcos said. "I wish it were under better circumstances, but I'm happy that you are able to come and visit with us."
The two leaders committed to further strengthening the 32-year-old diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Ukraine.
Ukraine also plans to open an embassy in Manila, a move Marcos viewed as "very good news" since it will be easier for the country to "help in any way" apart from coursing initiatives through the European Union and the United Nations.
The Ukrainian leader, who quietly arrived in the country with his delegation last Sunday night, thanked the Philippine government for its support to Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia since 2022.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday, June 03, 2024. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/ PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday, June 03, 2024. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/ PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday, June 03, 2024. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/ PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday, June 03, 2024. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/ PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday, June 03, 2024. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/ PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday, June 03, 2024. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/ PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday, June 03, 2024. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/ PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call in Malacañang on Monday, June 03, 2024. PHOTOS BY KJ ROSALES/ PPA POOL
The Philippines echoed calls made by the international community for Russia and Ukraine to settle the conflict through diplomacy.
The Philippines and Ukraine opened diplomatic relations on April 7, 1992.
In 2022, Ukraine was the 90th trading partner of the Philippines, the 119th export market and the 76th import source.
Total trade between the countries amounted to $16.9 million, with exports valued at $1.49 million and imports at $15.41 million.
Ukraine served as a second home to nearly 200 Filipinos. But the figure has dropped to 25, who are mostly married to Ukrainians, because of the war.
In a recording of the meeting released by Malacañang, Zelenskyy seemed to indicate Marcos accepted the invitation, though it wasn't clear if the Filipino leader agreed to personally attend the peace summit in Switzerland or to send a representative.
"I'm happy to hear today from you that you'll participate in our peace steps," Zelenskyy told Marcos. "It's a very strong signal."
Zelenskyy had planned but failed to meet with Marcos on the sidelines of the annual defense gathering in Singapore and decided to fly to Manila to personally invite Marcos to attend the summit in Switzerland.
Both leaders spoke critically of China at the Singapore forum, which was attended by top defense and government officials from around the world, including from Washington and Beijing. The talks were held amid the raging wars in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as growing tensions and rivalry for influence between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific region.
At a news conference in Singapore Sunday, Zelenskyy accused China of helping Russia to disrupt the Swiss-organized peace summit by pressuring other countries and their leaders not to attend the talks.
"Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit," he said without elaborating. "Regrettably, this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin."
China on Monday denied the accusations.
Beijing's foreign ministry said Monday that "China's position is open and transparent, and there is absolutely no instance of us putting pressure on other countries."
"On peace talks, China's position is fair and just. It does not target any third country, and, of course, is not aimed at Switzerland's hosting of this summit for peace," spokesman Mao Ning said.
China has taken what it says is a neutral position on the war, putting it at odds with Ukraine, the US and most of Europe. and its trade with Russia has grown, easing the economic impact of Western sanctions.
American, Ukrainian and other intelligence agencies say there is evidence that Chinese parts are winding up in Russian weaponry, even if China is not directly arming its neighbor.
Switzerland had been hoping China would attend the peace conference in mid-June, but Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning signaled Friday that that was unlikely.
At the security forum, Zelenskyy urged top defense officials to participate in the talks in Switzerland, expressing disappointment over the failure of some countries to commit to attending.
Ukraine, he said, has proposals to make at the summit as a basis for peace, addressing nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was "ready to hear various proposals and thoughts that lead us... to an end of the war and a sustainable and just peace."
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the conference and renewed US commitments to Ukraine.
In an address to the forum Saturday, Austin said that "Putin's war of aggression has provided us all with a preview of a world that none of us would want."
Marcos bluntly underscored the dangers of the regional flashpoint Friday at the defense forum. He said that if "a willful act" should result in a Filipino dying in the high-seas hostilities, "that is, I think, very, very close to what we define as an act of war."
"That would certainly increase the level of response," Marcos said in response to a question.
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