President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is ready to talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss bilateral cooperation amid the latter’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
Mr. Marcos, however, said the so-called 10-point peace formula to end the conflict in Ukraine being pushed by Zelensky is “not for us to decide.”
“Should there be talks between Ukraine and Russia, they must be the ones who must talk about it. We support any effort towards peace, anything as long as the deaths, the war must end,” he said in an interview on board the presidential plane en route to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum.
“On how they will do it, what will they do with the territories that have changed stance, etc., that is really clearly between the two countries.” the President added.
He said he was surprised when Ukrainian Charge d’Affaires to Malaysia Denys Mykhailiuk made public his claim that the Philippines has yet to respond to Zelensky’s request for a dialog.
“I have no problem with talking to President Zelensky, especially now that the war is raging. Of course, we are on the side of peace, and that remains the same,” Mr. Marcos said.
“There was talk of it a few months ago, but it just was not discussed. That’s why we’re surprised that the special envoy came out and said we were not responding. We responded, but we didn’t get it scheduled.”
“Any expressions of support that [Zelensky] might feel is needed, we are happy to provide it,” Marcos added.
Zelensky earlier laid out a 10-point peace plan for peace, which included the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and cessation of hostilities, confirmation of the end of the war, and the release of prisoners and deportees, among others.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Carlos Sorreta earlier chided Mykhailiuk, saying his action was “not a good diplomatic practice.”
The envoy has since apologized for the supposed “misunderstanding.”