Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a rare trip to the Philippines on Monday to encourage regional leaders to participate in a global peace summit organized by Switzerland. The summit aims to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, which Zelenskyy believes is being undermined by Russia, with the support of China.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to Manila, arriving late Sunday amidst tight security. Prior to his arrival, he had attended the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore. On Monday, he received a warm reception at the presidential palace, complete with military honors, before holding a meeting with Marcos.
Related posts
In a recently released recording from the administration, Zelenskyy suggested that Marcos may have accepted the invitation. However, it remains unclear whether the Filipino leader has agreed to attend the peace summit in Switzerland in person or if he intends to send a representative instead.
Zelenskyy expressed his happiness upon hearing Marcos’ commitment to participate in their peace initiatives, viewing it as a significant and powerful signal.
The Marcos administration refrained from issuing a comment on the matter right away.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed his plans to open an embassy in Manila, which was warmly welcomed by Marcos. This move is expected to enhance the support and aid provided to the nation, which has been devastated by war.
Zelenskyy’s original plan was to meet with Marcos during the defense gathering in Singapore. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting did not take place. Determined to extend the invitation in person, Zelenskyy made the decision to fly to Manila and personally invite Marcos to attend the summit in Switzerland.
Both leaders at the Singapore forum expressed their critical views on China. The event was attended by high-ranking defense and government officials from various countries, including Washington and Beijing. This discussion took place amidst the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as the escalating tensions and competition for influence between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific region.
During a news conference held in Singapore on Sunday, Zelenskyy made a strong accusation against China, claiming that they had been aiding Russia in sabotaging the peace summit organized by Switzerland. According to Zelenskyy, China had been exerting pressure on other countries and their leaders, discouraging them from participating in the talks.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not yet provided a response to Zelenskyy’s claim, as requested.
China has declared a neutral stance on the war, which sets it apart from Ukraine, the U.S., and most of Europe. Despite this, China’s trade with Russia has flourished, alleviating the economic repercussions of Western sanctions. Intelligence agencies from the United States, Ukraine, and other countries claim to have evidence suggesting that Chinese components are finding their way into Russian weapons, even though China itself is not directly supplying its neighbor.
During the conference, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a meeting with Zelenskyy where he reiterated the United States’ support for Ukraine. In his speech at the forum, Austin emphasized that “Putin’s war of aggression has given us a glimpse of a world that none of us would desire.”
During the defense forum, Marcos emphasized the potential dangers of the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which have led to escalating clashes between his country and China. He candidly stated that if a Filipino were to lose their life due to a deliberate act in these high-seas hostilities, it would be considered a grave act of war.
“Our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdictions are being violated by illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions,” Marcos stated. Although he did not explicitly mention China, he emphasized that the Philippines remains dedicated to finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing disputes.
During the forum, Austin emphasized the unwavering commitment of the United States to the Philippines as a treaty ally. However, he also stressed the significance of engaging in dialogue with China.
