Ukraine's Zelensky Spoke With Philippine President Marcos To 'Develop' Relations: 'First Time In History'

For the first time since the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Ukraine began more than 30 years ago, the two countries' leaders spoke with each other to further develop their relations amid the raging Russian-led war.

In a statement via his Twitter account and a video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that he spoke with Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. through a phone call.

According to Ukraine's presidential office, Zelensky thanked Marcos for supporting his country through international organizations, adding that they have vowed to deepen the relations between their countries further.

"I spoke today with the President of the Philippines for the first time in the history of bilateral relations. I thanked him for the support in international organizations, and we agreed to develop our relations," Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president said Marcos voiced his support for Ukraine's "sovereignty and territorial integrity" amid Russia's invasion.

Zelensky explained that the phone call with the Philippine president underscored Ukraine's aim to establish "meaningful relations" with the Southeast Asian countries.

Zelensky added that he wants to make Ukraine's interests "understandable" to regions of the world "where our position is not yet well-represented."

At the time of writing, neither Marcos nor the Philippine government has released a statement regarding the phone call with the Ukrainian president.

The phone call between the two leaders came after a Ukrainian diplomatic official revealed last month that they had not received a single response from the Philippine government.

Denys Mykhailiuk, the chargé d'affaires of the Ukraine Embassy in Malaysia, said they had tried contacting Marcos through the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs twice a month since he assumed the presidential office last June, but they have not received a response.

The Ukrainian Embassy official said they wanted to discuss with Marcos the Philippines' participation in the Peace Formula, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

Mykhailiuk's remark drew the ire of Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Carlos Sorreta, saying it was "not good diplomatic practice."

Marcos' phone call with Zelensky vouching for his support for the beleaguered country appears to be a total departure from the statement he made during last year's Philippine presidential election that there is no need for his country to take a stand on the issue of Ukraine war.

"I don't think there is a need to take a stand... We are not involved except for our nationals," Marcos said a few days after Russia invaded Ukraine, according to CNN Philippines.

In November 2022, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Marcos called the war "unacceptable." He also urged Russia and Ukraine to stop the conflict and continue diplomatic negotiations.

Since Russia started its so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine almost a year ago, the Philippines has consistently opposed the war in Ukraine.

In March 2022, the Philippines supported a resolution at the U.N. General Assembly condemning Russia for invading Ukraine.