Zelensky visit to bolster ties between PH, Ukraine

RED-CARPET WELCOME Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is given welcome honors as he arrives in Malacañang on Monday for a meeting with President Marcos. —PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

MANILA, Philippines — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday and the two leaders vowed to strengthen their 32-year-old diplomatic ties, with the Eastern European nation setting up its embassy in Manila this year.

Zelensky arrived in Manila on Sunday evening for a one-day working visit and met with Marcos in Malacañang on Monday morning, where he was given arrival honors by the Philippine leader.

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

Wearing a black shirt and a pair of olive fatigue pants, Zelensky arrived at the presidential palace after an unscheduled appearance at the 21st edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s biggest security conference during the weekend to drum up support for the upcoming two-day peace summit in Switzerland.

It was not immediately clear if Marcos would attend the summit or if he would send an envoy.

Russia, which calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation,” has not been invited to the June 15-16 summit to be hosted by the Swiss government. Russia has dismissed the talks as meaningless without its participation.

The purpose of the Ukrainian president’s unscheduled trip to the country was not immediately disclosed, but he and Marcos were reportedly set to meet in Singapore last week but their schedules reportedly did not match.

Commitment to help

At the meeting in Malacañang, Zelensky thanked President Marcos for the Philippines’ “unwavering support” to Ukraine and for his “strong stand” on the issues affecting the country currently being besieged by Russia.

“We’re happy to be [visiting for the] first time in the Philippines. I’m sure [this would not be] the last,” Zelensky told Marcos. “Thank you so much for your ‘big word’ and clear position about us, about this Russian occupation of our territories, and thank you (for) your support.”

“I am also very happy that this year we will open [our] embassy in Manila,” the Ukrainian leader added.

In response, Marcos welcomed Ukraine’s plan to open an embassy in Manila this year, as this would allow the Philippines to continue helping through any means.

“That’s certainly very good news because we would very much like to continue to help, in any way, that the Philippines can through the United Nations (UN) and even through other agencies such as the EU (European Union),” Marcos said.

He said the Philippines was committed to helping end the war and bring peace to Ukraine.

“So, we will continue to do all that we can to promote peace and to bring an end to the fighting and to come to a political resolution of your country,” he said, even as he conceded this is “easier said than done.”

Mental health workers needed

Zelensky took the opportunity to convey to the Philippine leader his country’s appeal for more mental health workers to help those on the frontlines defending against the Russian invasion.

“You mentioned humanitarian possibilities, especially for medicine and, like I said to you, especially, psychological mental health [to help the] army. So, you understand how many people need their help when they come back, they can’t lose their families,” he said.

President Marcos assured Zelensky that the Philippines could accede to Ukraine’s request, as extending help to those in need “comes naturally to Filipinos.”

“The Philippines is quite well-known in healthcare in terms of providing assistance,” which is part of the country’s commitment to the UN for the peacekeeping process, Marcos noted.

“I am happy to do all that we can to make sure that we can help, especially the civilians and the innocents that are involved in the war,” he added.

Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Philippines were officially established on April 7, 1992, eight months after the European country declared its independence. The Philippines officially recognized Ukraine three months prior, on Jan. 22, 1992.

Ukraine served as a second home to nearly 200 Filipinos, but this number went down to 25 due to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

In 2022, Ukraine ranked as the 90th biggest trading partner of the Philippines, its 119th export market and 76th import source, the Presidential Communications Office said.

The total trade between the two countries amounted to $16.9 million, made up of exports worth $1.49 million and imports worth $15.41 million.

As of May this year, more than 95 Ukrainians live in the Philippines.

Zelensky, born in Kryvyi Rih on Jan. 25, 1978, was elected as the sixth president of Ukraine on April 21, 2019.

Before entering politics, Zelensky had a career in entertainment. From 1997 to 2003, he was an actor, performer, script writer, and producer of the stand-up comedy contest team KVARTAL 95. He also acted as the team’s executive producer from 2003 to 2011, and from 2013 to 2019. —with a report from Inquirer Research