President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine declared at a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the country will open an embassy in the Philippines this year with the intention of improving bilateral relations.
Zelensky said, “I am very happy that we will open an embassy in Manila this year.”
Zelensky also thanked the Philippines for its support of Ukraine during their brief encounter.
“Very good news because we would very much like to continue to help, in any way,” was Marcos’ happy response to Kyiv’s decision.
“Therefore, we shall persist in exerting every effort to advance tranquility, terminate hostilities, and reach a political settlement for your nation,” stated Marcos.
“I think everybody fully understands that it is easier said than done and it will be a difficult road to find our way back to a situation that is morally acceptable not only to Ukraine but to the rest of the world,” he said, acknowledging the complexities of the situation.
As of right now, the Ukrainian Embassy in Malaysia oversees the honorary consulate that Kyiv maintains in Manila.
Following its official establishment in April 1992, the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Ukraine have endured for 32 years.
Ukraine ranked as the Philippines’ 76th import source, 119th export market, and 90th trading partner in 2022.
There were formerly close to 200 Filipinos living in eastern Ukraine, but due to the ongoing conflict, that number has dropped to roughly 25, largely Filipinos who are married to Ukrainians.
