Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky receives arrival honors in Malacañang ahead of his meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today, Monday morning. Courtesy: PPA Pool
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the Presidential Palace Monday morning and met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Zelensky's unexpected presence at the Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Manila on Sunday evening, where he and the Philippine president were in attendance, set the stage for his subsequent visit.
The visit of the Ukrainian leader was kept under wrap.
"We cannot afford any other future for the South China Sea other than the one envisioned by ASEAN: That of a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity," Marcos said at the 2024 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue.
He added, "Unfortunately, this vision remains a distant reality for now. Illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction."
Zelensky and Marcos spoke on the phone in 2023, with the Ukrainian president seeking the Philippines' support over Russia's war against his country.
During the call, Marcos expressed his administration's solidarity with the Ukrainian people and their search for peace and added the Philippines is "watching with admiration the bravery and nationalism that has been displaced by the Ukrainians" amid Russia's attacks.
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