PH renews support for Ukraine sovereignty

The Philippines renewed its support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity Saturday on the second anniversary of Russia's devastating invasion of the Eastern European nation.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) underscored "the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the UN Charter."

"The Philippines has articulated its principled position on Ukraine and has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, voting in favor of the six resolutions of the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine," the DFA said.

Ukraine was home to nearly 400 Filipinos and since the war broke out, the Philippine government was able to bring home dozens of Filipinos from the eastern European state.

Russian troops launched their attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, drawing international condemnations, warnings and sanctions from countries, led by the US, with US President Joe Biden calling Moscow’s move “unprovoked and unjustified.”

At the UN, the Philippines joined 140 countries in denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, expressing “explicit condemnation” against “the use of force against the political independence and territorial integrity of any state.”

"The Philippines reiterates its call on concerned parties to seek a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict," the DFA said as it cited the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes which reaffirms the principle that all states shall settle their disputes by peaceful means. —KG, GMA Integrated News