Ukraine to open embassy in PH after war with Russia

MANILA, Philippines — The Ukraine government is committed to opening an embassy in Manila when the Russia-Ukraine conflict ends, an envoy said Wednesday.

Denys Mykhailiuk, chargé d’affaires of the Ukraine embassy in Malaysia, said that his government already had plans to open an embassy in the Philippines but was aborted by its conflict with Russia.

“We are ready to open the embassy in Manila, the Embassy of Ukraine, as soon as the budget situation will allow,” Mykhailiuk said in a Pandesal Forum.

“We have everything ready. We even have the stamps of the new embassy already made,” Mykhailiuk said.

The Ukraine diplomat made the remarks as the Russian invasion of Ukraine nears one year.

He said he is hopeful that Ukraine will liberate all their areas under Russia by the end of summer — June to August. Mykhailiuk said some 350,000 supporters are participating in its liberation efforts.

This, he said, will make way for the creation of the Ukrainian Embassy in the Philippines.

Future of PH-Ukraine relations

Mykhail also thanked the Philippines for responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s heed call.

Last week, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. engaged in a 30-minute call with Ukraine’s Zelensky, where the latter thanked the former for its support for Ukraine.

According to Zelensky, he and his Philippine counterpart also talked about strengthening their cooperation, particularly on international platforms.

“We are very happy that it came through…we see this as the root for the bilateral relations in the political and economic sphere,” the diplomat said.

According to Mykhailiuk, Ukraine is ready to create long stable contracts to export wheat and other products to the Philippines.

Ukraine is also willing to provide technical help on the digitalization of government agencies and services.

“We will be pleased if the Philippines will require our expertise here,” the Ukraine diplomat said.

Ukraine also asks for the country’s support particularly in sending International Law specialists to help Ukrainian prosecutors to document  crimes of the Russian state during the onslaught of the war in Ukraine.

Currently, the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in the Philippines serves as the Ukrainian arm in the country.

The Philippines also long to establish a Philippine embassy in Ukraine, former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in June 2022.—MJ Soriano,  INQUIRER.net trainee

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JPV