Ukraine to open embassy in Manila in 2024—Zelensky

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky during a courtesy call at the Malacañan Palace on Monday, June 3, 2024. The two leaders attended the IISS Shangri-la Dialogue Defense Summit in Singapore, but their schedules did not align to meet on the sidelines of the forum held over the weekend. (KJ ROSALES/PPAPOOL)

MANILA, Philippines — Ukraine will open an embassy in Manila within the year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told President Ferdinand Marcos during their meeting in Malacañang on Monday.

Zelensky said this while thanking Marcos for the Philippines’ support of their plight, particularly Manila’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Thank you so much, Mr. President (and to) your team, I’m very happy; it’s my first time in the Philippines, [and] I’m sure not the last; thank you for this invitation, and we are very thankful to be in your country — which supports Ukraine in our territorial integrity and sovereignty […] and thank you for your support to the United Nations with your resolutions, Mr. President,” Zelensky told Marcos.

READ: PH backs UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 

“And I’m also very happy that this year we will open an embassy in Manila, that’s very good decision,” he added.

Marcos said the Philippines will try to assist Ukraine in any way that it can.

“That’s certainly very good because we’re very much like you, continue to help in any way the Philippines can,” Marcos said.

Marcos also said that the Philippine government is honored that Zelensky had the time to pass by despite the situation in Ukraine.

“But I’m happy that — we’re very honored that you found the time to pass by the Philippines.  I know that the crisis in your country has occupied all of your attention and all of your time,” Marcos said.

“And 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 forward for the both of us together.  But once again, I wish it were under better circumstances but I’m happy that you’re able to come and visit with us, Mr. President,” he added.

READ: Zelensky in PH to promote peace summit he says China, Russia trying to undermine

Zelensky is in Manila for a brief bilateral meeting with Marcos after neither side can schedule a meeting in Singapore.

Both Marcos and Zelensky came from Singapore, where the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense summit, was held.

Marcos was the keynote speaker there. Zelensky’s attendance to the summit meanwhile was seen as the Ukranian leader’s way of drumming up support to a Swiss-organized global peace summit on the war in Ukraine.