June 4 ------ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the Philippine government for its support for Ukraine's steps and measures in achieving peace.
Wearing a black polo shirt and fatigue pants, Zelensky met with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. this morning at Malacañang Palace. ''Thank you for this invitation and we are very thankful to be in your country which supports Ukraine, our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Thank you so much of your big word, and clear position about us, about this Russian occupation of our territories and thank you on your support on the, in your nations, with your resolutions,'' Zelenskyy told Marcos. 'Mr. President, I’m happy to hear today from you that you participate [in] our peace steps,'' he added.
In response, Marcos said the Philippines is very much willing to continue helping Ukraine through multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the European Union in order to achieve peace amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. ''We’ll continue to do all that we can to promote.... to promote peace and to bring an end to the fighting and to come to a political resolution of your country,'' Marcos said. ''I think everybody fully understands that it is easier said than done and it will be a difficult road to find our way back to the situation that is morally acceptable not only to Ukraine, but to the rest of the world,” he added.
Marcos stressed that the Philippine government has been promoting the adherence to international rules-based order as he reiterates the country's advocacy for peace.
Zelensky also said in a post on X that the Philippines would participate in the peace summit that will be held in Switzerland this month. ''We discussed the inaugural Global Peace Summit and the importance of Southeast Asian countries being represented there. I am pleased that the Philippines will participate in the Summit,'' he added. There is no official word yet from the Philippine government however on whether Marcos would personally attend the Global Peace Summit or a representative will be sent.
Elated'
Marcos was elated over Zelenskyy's visit to discuss issues similarly faced by the two countries. Marcos, though, expressed hope that their meeting would be under ''better circumstances'' amid the unfinished war Ukraine is facing against Russia.
Zelensky also told Marcos Ukraine would open an embassy in the Philippines this year. The Ukrainian president arrived in Manila on Sunday evening for a visit that was kept well under wraps. He flew in first to Singapore on Saturday, June 1, for what Reuters described as an "unscheduled" appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
The Philippines had expressed its support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, voting at the UN General Assembly to denounce Russia’s invasion, expressing “explicit condemnation” against “the use of force against the political independence and territorial integrity of any state.”
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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