Regardless of of the persevering with conflict initiated by Russia, Ukraine continues to normalize its diplomatic relations with the Philippines, which has been supportive of Ukraine’s struggle to stay an impartial state for the final 34 years.
Newly appointed Amb. Yuliia Fediv final week held a reception on the Resort Okura to commemorate the Aug. 24, 1991 independence day of her nation, expressing hope that her nation will be capable of overcome its present struggle to protect their independence.
Her welcome remarks echoed the highly effective Independence Day speech of President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
Addressing members of the worldwide diplomatic corps led by Philippine Overseas Affairs Undersecretary Charles Jose, and Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio and dean of the diplomatic corps, Amb. Fediv identified that “there are moments in a nation’s life that outline its essence. For Ukraine, the declaration of our independence 34 years in the past was such a second. Tonight, as we collect right here in Manila, hundreds of kilometers away from Kyiv, we achieve this with the identical unyielding spirit that introduced our individuals to freedom in 1991, and which sustains us nonetheless via the trials of conflict. This night just isn’t solely a celebration of sovereignty, it’s a reaffirmation of braveness, partnership and the need to form our shared future.”
Ukraine, Amb. Fediv burdened, “seeks peace, a peace that’s simply, lasting and by no means bought at the price of submission. As we proceed our resistance in opposition to aggression, we all know that diplomacy is a crucial entrance.”
Thus, regardless of the nonetheless ongoing conflict with Russia, Amb. Fediv cited the rising ties with the Philippines, “Our relationship, although younger in its intensive part, has gained outstanding momentum. The historic go to of President Volodymyr Zelensky to Manila on June 3 final 12 months was greater than a milestone. It was a message to the world that Kyiv and Manila are able to construct a brand new period of cooperation. Since that second, either side have demonstrated clear intent and political will to deliver our bilateral ties to a strategic degree.”
Final July 29, she mentioned, Ukraine’s Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Philippine Overseas Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, reaffirmed the readiness of each nations to institutionalize their overseas coverage engagement.
Ukraine, Amb. Fediv mentioned, is particularly grateful to the Philippines for its principled help on multilateral platforms, together with the affirmative vote solid by the Philippines in help of Ukraine’s candidacy to the UNESCO Govt Board and to the United Nations Financial and Social Council for the 2026–2028. Ukraine, in flip, she mentioned, would lengthen its full help to the Philippine candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Safety Council for 2027–2028.
She introduced in her speech that Ukraine and the Philippines at the moment are actively shaping a sturdy authorized framework to underpin their cooperation. Ukraine, she mentioned, has submitted to the Philippines a number of draft agreements, together with an up to date draft settlement on the institution of a Joint Fee on Commerce-Financial and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation, a memorandum on cyber protection and a draft protection cooperation settlement.
On the financial entrance, Amb. Fediv mentioned, “our commerce relationship reveals promise, but in addition reveals a chance to develop. In 2024, complete commerce in items stood at virtually $70 million, with Ukrainian exports amounting to $12 million and imports from Philippines totaling virtually $57 million. Within the first half of 2025, the figures stay in step with this development. Our principal exports – wheat, dairy merchandise and prescribed drugs – meet core wants of the Philippine market, whereas Ukraine imports high-value electronics and industrial elements from the Philippines. The commerce stability could not but favor Ukraine, but it surely clearly factors to mutual complementarity.”
The Ukrainian envoy expressed the perception that “the Philippine market might turn into a significant entry level for Ukrainian items into Southeast Asia. For this to materialize, we should redouble efforts to acquire the mandatory product certifications, safe import approvals and put money into advertising and marketing methods, together with participation in expos and business conferences.
Other than economics and coverage, tradition and people-to-people ties are additionally flourishing, she mentioned, including that also they are trying ahead to the institution of Ukrainian Research at Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle Universities.
She additionally cited the inauguration of the Ukrainian bookshelf on the Nationwide Library of the Philippines, “a small however highly effective gesture of mental solidarity.” They’re additionally actively facilitating sister-city partnerships between Lviv and Quezon Metropolis, and between Chernivtsi and Cebu.
In an interview following her speech, Amb. Fediv defined that the primary first steps would be the signing of the MOUs with the Division of Agriculture and with the Division of Commerce and Trade. “We already despatched the MOUs on the cooperation as a result of it will likely be the entry level for opening the doorways for Ukrainian companies to get the certification to enter the Philippine market, particularly for the feed, grain, meat merchandise, soybeans, and so on. Secondly, additionally, it’s the creation of a joint fee on commerce, financial and scientific, technical cooperation, as a result of we wish to have the group which is able to meet persistently to change the information, data and to go additional into different financial domains, (citing the inventive industries) as a result of Philippines and Ukraine have sturdy people-to-people engagement and artistic business like trend, publishing and in addition visible and performing arts. It may be a method the place we will cooperate and change…as a result of small and medium enterprises in Ukraine are fairly lively there, in order that they wish to cooperate… and final, however not least, is pharmaceutical… additionally, sure, the electronics which we already import from the Philippines.”
Ukraine, likewise, can also be eager to hitch native enterprise golf equipment right here to permit them to attach and work together higher with the native enterprise neighborhood.