PH renews call for Russia, Ukraine to settle conflict diplomatically

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. answers questions from the media on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bangkok, Thailand on November 19, 2022. INQUIRER.net file photo / Daniza Fernandez

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines renewed its call for Russia and Ukraine to settle their conflict in a diplomatic way.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made the remark on Friday, marking the first anniversary of the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

“The Philippines has pronounced its principled stance on Ukraine and has consistently voted in favor of five (5) earlier UN (United Nations) resolutions on Ukraine reaffirming the country’s support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine and other UN member states,” the DFA said in a statement.

The agency stressed that the Philippines supported a recent UN resolution this month, highlighting “the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky of Manila’s persistent support and participation in any means to come up with a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

Marcos said that the Philippines stands with Ukraine’s search for peace.

On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine to stop what Moscow calls Western encroachment through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union support of Kyiv.

JPV