Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv expressed her country’s support for the Philippines’ bid for a United Nations Security Council non-permanent seat for 2027-2028.
Ukraine backs PH bid for UN Security Council seat
Published Aug 28, 2025 10:48 am
Ukraine Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv delivers her speech at the 34th Independence Day celebration of Ukraine at Hotel Okura in Pasay City on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (Raymund Antonio/MANILA BULLETIN)
During the Ukraine’s National Day celebration on Wednesday night, Aug. 27, the ambassador said this support complements the affirmative vote cast by the Philippines in support of its candidacy to the UNESCO Executive Board and to the United Nations Economic and Social Council for the 2026-2028.
“The historic visit of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to Manila on June 3rd last year was more than a milestone. It was a message to the world that Kyiv and Manila are ready to build a new era of cooperation,” the envoy said.
“Since that moment, both sides have demonstrated clear intent and political will to bring our bilateral ties to a strategic level,” Fediv added.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles Jose also underscored how the “friendship” between the two countries has flourished.
“The following year, in April 1992, the Philippines and Ukraine formally established economic relations. 33 years of economic relations may be relatively short, but we are truly pleased at how our friendship has since flourished,” he said in his remarks.
“We have reached several remarkable milestones in our bilateral relations in recent years, including the visit of President Vladimir Zelensky to Manila last year, coming after a series of high-level exchanges between our countries,” he added.
In a bid to shape this cooperation, Fediv said that they are “actively shaping a robust legal framework” for several proposed agreements—an updated draft agreement on the establishment of a Joint Commission of Trade, Economic, and Scientific and Technical Cooperation, Memorandum of Understanding on Agriculture Cooperation, a Memorandum on Cyber Defense, and a Draft Defense Cooperation Agreement.
Jose, likewise, welcomed Ukraine’s interest in increasing cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), saying that the Philippines looks forward to the initiatives as these are guided by the 2024 policy paper “Ukraine-ASEAN Vision of Cooperation.”
First National Day celebration in PH
The DFA official took note of another “milestone” in the Philippine-Ukraine relations on Wednesday.
“This evening is a milestone in itself. This may well be the first time that Ukraine's National Day is being officially celebrated here in the Philippines,” Jose said.
He added that the “historic opening” of the Ukrainian Embassy in Manila and the accreditation of the first President-Ambassador of Ukraine to the Philippines “earlier this year marks a vibrant new chapter in our relations.
“We are very hopeful that we can take relations to a deeper level in the coming years, as we sustain our active dialogue on Ukraine and explore opportunities for cooperation, especially in the areas of trade, agriculture, ecology, and innovation.”
Support for peace
In her remarks, Fediv also expressed gratitude to the Philippines for its “principled support on multilateral platforms.”
“Ukraine seeks peace, a peace that is just, lasting, and never purchased at the cost of submission. As we continue our resistance against aggression, we know that diplomacy is a vital front,” she said.
Under this guise, the Philippines and Ukraine expect to launch political consultations at the level of the Deputy Foreign Ministers.
“This dialogue reaffirmed the readiness of both nations to institutionalize the foreign policy engagement. We are specifically grateful to the Philippines for its principled support on multilateral platforms,” the envoy added.
For Jose, the two countries’ relations “will continue to flourish” because of “shared democratic values and respect for freedom and sovereignty founded on our common commitment to upholding a rules-based international order.”
“We remain committed to supporting all efforts to establish a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. The Philippines believes that such peace is crucial to global security and would allow us to pursue initiatives that can contribute to both our countries' national development,” he added.