Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed his gratitude towards the Philippines for agreeing to participate in the Global Peace Summit to be held in Switzerland later this month. He stated that this serves as a very strong signal for Ukraine, a country that has been devastated by war, to achieve peace.
On Monday, Zelensky held his first meeting with Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Manila. During their discussions, Zelensky addressed President Marcos in English, saying, “I am glad to hear today that you are part of our basic steps towards peace… This is a very strong signal.”
He also thanked President Marcos for his clear stance against Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory, to which President Marcos assured him that the Philippines will continue to support Ukraine.
It is currently unclear whether Marcos will personally attend the summit or delegate a representative.
Zelensky added that Ukraine will be opening an embassy in Manila later this year.
Marcos expressed feeling “honored” by Zelensky’s visit, stating, “I am glad to have met with him to discuss issues of mutual concern and hope that we can find ways to resolve problems in both our countries.”
Over the past weekend, Zelensky made an impromptu appearance at the 21st Asian Security Conference in Singapore, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, to seek support for and participation in the upcoming Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland later this month.
During the Shangri-La Dialogue, Marcos delivered a keynote speech criticizing the illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions of “other actors” in the South China Sea – though not directly naming them, it was evidently a condemnation of the Chinese authorities.
Russia has not been invited to the Ukraine Peace Summit hosted by the Swiss government on June 15-16. China has declined to attend citing Russia’s exclusion as one of the reasons.
Zelensky expressed disappointment during a press conference at the Shangri-La Dialogue for not being able to meet with the Chinese delegation and their absence from the summit. He further stated, “Unfortunately, China… is pressuring other countries not to participate in the peace summit.”
Zelensky emphasized, “Russia is using China’s influence in the region, as well as its diplomats, to actively disrupt this peace summit.”
He revealed that 106 countries have confirmed sending representatives to the Switzerland summit but noted that some world leaders have not shown support, which is disappointing.
When discussing China’s assistance to Russia in undermining the peace summit, Zelensky remarked, “This is not just support for Russia, it is essentially support for war.”