President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a courtesy call at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, June 3, 2024. Kj Rosales, PPA pool

MANILA — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the Philippines’ support to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.

Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to Manila to meet with the Philippine leader Malacanang Monday morning, as he drummed up Asian support for an upcoming Global Peace Summit on Ukraine later this month.

READ: Ukraine's Zelenskyy flies to Manila for meeting with Marcos

“Thank you for this invitation and we are very thankful to be in your country which supports Ukraine our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Zelenskyy told Marcos.

“Thank you so much of your big word, and clear position about us, about this Russian occupation of our territories and thank you on your support on the, in your nations, with your resolutions,” he continued.

Marcos, meanwhile, assured his Ukrainian counterpart that the Philippines will continue to help Ukraine.

“So, we will continue to do all that we can to promote peace and to bring an end to the fighting and to come to a political resolution of your country,” Marcos said.

“I think everybody fully understands that it is easier said than done and it will be a difficult road to find our way back to the situation that is morally acceptable not only to Ukraine, but to the rest of the world.”

The Philippine leader also welcomed news of Kyiv’s plans to establish an embassy in Manila later this year.

“It’s certainly very good news because we would very much to continue to help in any way that the Philippines can through the multilateral United Nations and even through agencies, such as the EU, such as the UN,” he said.

The landmark meeting between both leaders come following Zelenskyy’s unannounced participation in the IISS Shangri-la Summit in Singapore, which Marcos Jr also attended to deliver the forum’s keynote speech.

Marcos said he is honored to receive the Ukrainian leader in Manila after both leaders were unable to find time to meet earlier in Singapore.

“I know that the crisis in your country has occupied all of your attention and all of your time. It is a great pleasure to meet with you to discuss some of the issues that are common to our two countries and hopefully find ways for both of us together. Once again, I wish it were under better circumstances but I’m happy that you are able to come and visit with us, Mr. President,” Marcos said.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy thanked Marcos for supporting the Swiss-hosted Global Peace Summit, which will be held on June 15 to 16 in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.

“Mr. President, I’m happy to hear today from you that you participate our peace steps, steps to the peace that really think what really want our people just to bring peace to our homes. Yes. And thank you for the participation of Peace Summit, that’s very strong signal,” he said.

According to Zelenskyy, some 100 countries have already confirmed their attendance to the Summit, which aims to develop “a common understanding of a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine” and “to inspire a future peace process.”

Malacañang, however, has yet to confirm Marcos’ attendance to the Summit.

The Ukrainian leader over the weekend criticized China and Ukraine for trying to dissuade other states from attending the event.

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