Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv revealed on Saturday, Aug. 30, plans to co-produce drones with the Philippines as the two countries step up their defense ties.
Ukraine Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv is the guest of honor and speaker at the Ukraine–Philippines Landscape forum held in Intramuros, Manila on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (Raymund Antonio/MANILA BULLETIN)
She said this during the Special Forum on Ukraine–Philippines Landscape hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI) held at the historic Chamber Building in Intramuros, Manila.
The envoy noted that the co-production of drones can start after they sign the defense agreement “hopefully” in October this year.
“Then, we can move forward with co-production. Ukrainian government now is developing different models and proposals for countries all over the world, how we can co-produce and how we can exchange our knowledge and technologies,” she said.
“As Philippines, as I mentioned several times, you are our reliable partner in the region. That's why we are open to share with you all we have and all lessons learned, good and bad lessons learned,” the ambassador added.
But before this, Fediv emphasized the need for the defense agreement to be signed as this creates the legal framework for the partnership to co-produce drones.
She shared that the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine already drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was sent to the Department of National Defense (DND).
“So now we're waiting for answer and hopefully, as I already mentioned, in October we will have high-level delegation coming from Ukraine,” the envoy said, which would also include the representatives from other Ministry of Defense.
Fediv also said that Ukraine is open to cooperating on information technology (IT), combatting disinformation, and exchanging notes on cybersecurity.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Embassy in Manila celebrated its Ukraine’s National Day celebration in Manila, the first time it did so.
In her speech, the ambassador expressed Ukraine’s support for the Philippines’ bid for a United Nations Security Council non-permanent seat for 2027-2028 and thanked Manila for its support of its candidacy to the UNESCO Executive Board and to the United Nations Economic and Social Council for the 2026-2028.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv is the guest of honor and speaker at the Ukraine–Philippines Landscape forum held in Intramuros, Manila on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (Raymund Antonio/MANILA BULLETIN)