Zelenskyy sees similarities between PH-China dispute, Ukraine conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that he saw similarities between his country’s conflict with Russia and the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China.

Zelenskyy visited Manila to invite President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to a peace summit that would be held in Switzerland this month.

“I think that there are a lot of similar things and a lot of challenging challenges. That's why we spoke with the President. That now we need unity,” Zelenskyy told Mariz Umali in an interview for “24 Oras”.

“Because if Ukraine falls, if Russia will occupy us totally, this war, we will see this war in other continents. And it can be in your direction, in your region. And it's a big, it's a big tragedy. A lot of casualties,” he said.

“If we will stay strong, it means that it will give a very important signal to other countries, not to try even to think how to occupy other independent countries,” Zelenskyy added.

During their meeting, Zelenskyy said the Philippines and Ukraine discussed their bilateral cooperation, particularly Ukrainian agricultural exports to the Philippines. He also requested Marcos Jr. to send Filipino mental health workers to Ukraine, with the Philippines responding it could oblige to the request.

“Thanks, you mentioned about humanitarian possibilities especially for medicine and, like I said to you, especially, psychological mental health, etc... So, you understand how many people need their help when they come back, they can’t lose in the families,” Zelenskyy said.

“It’s difficult for them --- to study again,'' he added.

Asked what Manila can learn from Ukraine’s experience, he said: “When this war began, Russia was the country which is almost four times bigger. But the lesson is that if you are on your territory if you are in unity between people, government, soldiers, I mean, everybody will defend your house.”

“The world saw the resilience of our people. And that's why my message to you, of course, we wish you only peace, but you have to be ready and to think about defending shield for the country,” he added.

Zelenskyy also said Ukraine remained strong as they held “a very honest position”.

“Yes, moral is good. I think that Ukraine is still strong because we are right, because we are with a very honest position. We are on our land, in our house, with our lovely children. And we will stay. And we will stay. Until the peace will come,” he said.

“Thank you so much, first of all, and for having us, thank you, that you are supporting Ukraine, and support peace in Ukraine,” he said.

Zelenskyy added: “And Ukraine will never forget on which side you are now historically. I think you are on the side of truth, on our side, on the side of truth, on the side of peace. And that's very important. So, in any difficulties, in any challenges for your country, I wish you know any challenges, of course, but life is life. So, in any challenges, Ukraine will stay together with you”.

The Philippines had expressed its support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, voting at the UN General Assembly to denounce Russia’s invasion, expressing “explicit condemnation” against “the use of force against the political independence and territorial integrity of any state.”

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, in what its President Vladimir Putin claimed was a "special military operation" to "de-Nazify" the country.

Russia's war in Ukraine has come with a terrible human cost, inflicting huge suffering on millions, according to the United Nations.

International reports said that US President Joe Biden recently allowed Ukraine to utilize US weapons inside Russian territory to help the country defend its northeastern Kharkiv region, a move that angered Moscow. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News