In phone call, Zelensky thanks Marcos for supporting Ukraine

MANILA, Philippines — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for supporting the eastern European nation.

Zelensky has revealed that he and Marcos “had the first phone call in the history of bilateral relations” with the Philippines, where the latter supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

He also said they talked about strengthening their cooperation, particularly on international platforms.

“Had the first phone call in the history of bilateral relations with President of the Philippines @bongbongmarcos,” Zelensky said in a Twitter post on Monday night.

“Thanked him for supporting sovereignty & territorial integrity of 🇺🇦. We discussed further deepening of cooperation, in particular on international platforms,” he added.

Had the first phone call in the history of bilateral relations with President of the Philippines @bongbongmarcos. Thanked him for supporting sovereignty & territorial integrity of 🇺🇦. We discussed further deepening of cooperation, in particular on international platforms.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 13, 2023

Malacañang has yet to issue a statement about the phone conversation between the two leaders.

The Ukrainian government requested for a phone meeting between Zelensky and Marcos in June last year, hoping to discuss a number of bilateral issues.

Ukraine is currently in a war with Russia.

Marcos previously called for the end of the conflict between the two nations, calling it “unacceptable” and claiming that its consequences had been “so far-reaching and profound to the detriment of many economies.”

JMS