By Mikhail Flores and Neil Jerome Morales
MANILA (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Manila on Monday and thanked him for his assist and “clear position” on Russia’s invasion of its territories.
The 2 leaders met on the Philippine presidential palace, after Zelenskiy made an unscheduled look at Asia’s greatest safety convention in Singapore on the weekend, his second go to to Asia since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Zelenskiy, who wore a black shirt and cargo pants, marked his first go to to the Philippines since his election in 2019.
“Thank you for this invitation and we are very thankful to be in your country which supports Ukraine, our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Zelenskiy informed Marcos.
“Thank you so much of your big word, and clear position about us, about this Russian occupation of our territories,” he added.
Ukraine will even open an embassy in Manila this 12 months, Zelenskiy stated.
Zelenskiy addressed the final day of the Shangri-La Dialogue discussion board, asking for assist and participation at a summit in Switzerland deliberate for June 15-16 geared toward bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation.
Marcos delivered the keynote handle on the discussion board, criticising unlawful, coercive and aggressions within the South China Sea, with out naming China.
Marcos informed Zelenskiy he was “honoured” the Ukrainian chief visited Manila.
“It’s a great pleasure to meet, to discuss, issues that are common for both countries, and hopefully, we find ways for both of us together,” Marcos stated.
Russia, which referred to as its actions in Ukraine a “special operation”, has not been invited to the deliberate summit in Switzerland and China has confirmed it won’t attend.
Zelenskiy has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to attend, however Washington has not confirmed who it is going to ship.
Whereas in Singapore, Zelenskiy informed a information convention that he was not capable of meet the Chinese language delegation on the convention and was disillusioned that Beijing wouldn’t attend the summit.