In a rare visit to Asia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila to rally support for a global peace summit on the conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskyy, who had just spoken at the Shangri-La defence forum in Singapore, made an unexpected appearance in Manila under tight security. He was greeted with military honours and a red-carpet reception at the presidential palace. Marcos promised to attend the peace conference, which Zelenskyy appreciated, calling it a strong signal of support. Philippine Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed Marcos’s commitment to the summit.
The White House announced that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris would represent the United States at the summit in Lucerne on June 15. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for more mental health professionals for Ukraine’s army and commended Marcos for pledging to expedite aid delivery. Marcos praised Ukraine’s plans to open an embassy in Manila this year and stressed the importance of adhering to international law. He noted that the Philippines consistently promotes peace, drawing parallels between the challenges faced by both nations.
At the Singapore forum, attended by high-ranking defence and government officials, including representatives from Beijing and Washington, Zelenskyy and Marcos made critical remarks about China. Zelenskyy accused China of encouraging other nations to boycott the peace summit to aid Russia in sabotaging it. He claimed that Russia was using Chinese influence and diplomats to disrupt the summit. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning denied the allegations, stating that China’s position was open and transparent.
China’s stance on the Ukraine conflict has put it at odds with Ukraine, the United States, and much of Europe. Despite claiming neutrality, China’s increased trade with Russia has mitigated the economic impact of Western sanctions. While China isn’t directly arming Russia, intelligence reports suggest Chinese components are ending up in Russian weapons.
Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over some countries’ reluctance to commit to the summit and urged top defence officials to participate. He outlined that Ukraine would present proposals for peace, addressing food security, nuclear security, the release of prisoners of war, and the return of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia. He emphasized that Ukraine was open to different ideas leading to a sustainable and just peace.
In discussions outside the conference, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed American support for Ukraine, criticizing Putin’s war of aggression. Austin highlighted the potential global ramifications of the conflict. Marcos, addressing growing hostilities with China over the South China Sea, underscored the risks associated with the regional hotspot. He warned that a willful act resulting in a Filipino’s death could be considered an act of war, escalating the response level.
Let us have a deep analysis of Philippines Ukraine relations.Â
A Brief Historical BackgroundÂ
In 1992, a formal agreement was established to initiate bilateral relations between the Philippines and Ukraine. Despite this, there isn’t a resident ambassador for either nation. Instead, Ukraine’s non-resident ambassador operates out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, while the embassy of the Philippines is located in Warsaw, Poland. The Philippines acknowledged Ukraine’s independence on January 22, 1992, and diplomatic connections were formally established on April 7, 1992. Initially, bilateral ties were managed through the Philippine embassy in Poland until June 1993. During this period, Ukraine maintained diplomatic relations with the Philippines through its embassies in Indonesia and Vietnam until December 2004.
From 1993, the Philippine embassy in Moscow handled bilateral relations with Ukraine, later shifting this responsibility to the Philippine embassy in Warsaw. Ukraine, on the other hand, managed its diplomatic ties with the Philippines through its Tokyo embassy until December 2004, after which they were transferred to its ambassador in Kuala Lumpur. Significant diplomatic activities included an interparliamentary cooperation agreement signed in Manila in April 1997 by a Ukrainian delegation and a meeting in July 2003 between Philippine Vice President Teofisto Guingona and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Anatoliy Zlenko in Manila, where a protocol on political cooperation was signed.
Furthering bilateral engagement, Speaker Jose de Venecia led a delegation to Ukraine in June 2005, meeting with President Victor Yushchenko and other key officials. Discussions during this visit included the development of two energy plants in the Philippines by Sukhin Energy Incorporated, a debt conversion initiative, and fostered Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue.
By June 2019, there were 342 Filipinos in Ukraine, with the Philippine government actively supporting their interests through the Honorary Consulate in Kyiv. Conversely, about 200 Ukrainians lived in the Philippines as of March 2020. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to issue an Alert Level 4, mandating the evacuation of all Filipino citizens from Ukraine. By March 2022, 342 Filipinos were evacuated. The Philippines supported the UN resolution condemning the invasion, with then-President Rodrigo Duterte expressing clear support, though presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos initially took a more neutral stance. However, at the APEC meeting in Thailand in November 2022, President Marcos declared the war “unacceptable” and called for peace.
Despite financial constraints preventing Ukraine from opening an embassy in the Philippines, the desire remained strong. In June 2022, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced intentions to open an embassy in Ukraine, though no formal proposals had been submitted as of January 2023. A significant milestone occurred on June 3, 2024, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Manila and met with President Marcos, marking the first visit of a Ukrainian president to the Philippines. During this visit, Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to establishing an embassy in the Philippines and thanked the Philippines for its support. He also announced that the Philippines would participate in a peace summit organized by Ukraine in Switzerland. In response to Zelenskyy’s request, President Marcos pledged to send Filipino mental health professionals to Ukraine to assist Ukrainian soldiers.
The Philippines and Ukraine have signed several bilateral agreements over the years. These include a correspondence between their respective foreign affairs departments on April 7, 1992, a Memorandum of Understanding on Collaboration between the Philippine House of Representatives and the Verkhovna Rada on April 14, 1997, a political consultation pact on July 14, 2003, and a financial information exchange agreement on money laundering signed on March 12, 2008. Additionally, an agreement on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation was reached on November 26, 2010, between the Council of Ministers of Crimea and the Government of Cebu Province, followed by a Memorandum of Understanding on Collaboration between the Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines and the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine on December 6, 2010.
Consistent support for Ukrainian sovereignty
On the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Philippines reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter. “The Philippines has articulated its principled position on Ukraine and has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, voting in favor of the six resolutions of the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine,” stated the DFA. Since the onset of the conflict, the Philippine government has managed to repatriate dozens of the nearly 400 Filipinos who lived in Ukraine.
The Russian invasion, which began on February 24, 2022, drew widespread international condemnation, with countries led by the United States imposing threats and penalties on Moscow. US President Joe Biden condemned the attack as “unprovoked and unjustified.” Addressing the UN Security Council on February 23, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. “Many Ukrainians are experiencing the living nightmare of losing their children. All children that have been deported must be reunited with their families,” Guterres stated. He highlighted the toll on Russian citizens as well, noting that thousands of young Russians were dying on the front lines and civilians in Russian cities were suffering from strikes.
Guterres also raised concerns about the potential for the conflict to escalate further, describing the risk as “very real.” He pointed out that the war is deepening geopolitical divides and limiting the ability to address other urgent global issues. “We have had two years of fighting, two years of suffering, two years of stoking global tensions and straining global relations. Enough,” he concluded.
Regional Context & Geo-Politics
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has adopted a more assertive stance against China’s actions in the South China Sea, significantly shifting the Philippines’ approach to the disputed waters. By publicizing confrontations between Philippine and Chinese forces, Marcos has elevated his profile among the US and its allies. His outspoken criticism of China’s aggression and his unwavering advocacy for Philippine sovereignty in the contested maritime region have distinguished his administration’s foreign policy.
In strengthening ties with the United States, Marcos Jr. has exceeded expectations in modernizing the longstanding alliance to counter Chinese aggression. He reversed former President Duterte’s decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement, thereby allowing joint military exercises and reinforcing the defense partnership. The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines, clarifying that the Mutual Defense Treaty includes protections against attacks on Philippine forces or vessels in the South China Sea.
Marcos Jr. faces the complex challenge of balancing the treaty relationship with the United States against ongoing conflicts with China. The Philippines’ cultural affinities with the US and the economic imperatives of cooperation necessitate a balanced diplomatic approach. Simultaneously, Manila seeks to maintain positive relations with other Southeast Asian claimants by addressing common interests such as fisheries management and environmental research in its interactions with neighboring countries.
Summary
In essence, the Philippines’ vocal support for Ukraine reflects a consistent commitment to international norms, sovereignty, and peace. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, the Philippines continues to play an active role in advocating for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and stability. This stance highlights the interconnectedness of global and regional conflicts, demonstrating the Philippines’ dedication to principled diplomacy and a rules-based international order. Through its support for Ukraine, the Philippines reinforces its alliances, promotes regional security, and unde the importance of upholding international law in maintaining global peace and stability.
