Ukraine eyes stronger PH ties on 34th independence day

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

UKRAINE INDEPENDENCE DAY. Ukraine Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv on Wednesday (Aug 27, 2025) leads the commemoration of Ukraine’s 34th Independence Day in Pasay City. In her speech, she said Ukraine seeks to further deepen its bilateral partnership with the Philippines. (Photo by Marita Moaje)

MANILA – Amid its ongoing war challenges, Ukraine marked its 34th Independence Day in Manila as it sought to broaden its partnership with the Philippines and called on the international community to stand firm in defending sovereignty and building lasting peace.

At its celebration in Pasay City on Wednesday evening, Ukraine Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv said Kyiv seeks to expand its trade, defense, and cultural ties with Manila.

Fediv noted the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Manila on June 3 last year, calling it as more than a milestone, but a message to the world that Kyiv and Manila are ready to build a new era of cooperation, as both sides have demonstrated clear intent and political will to bring its bilateral ties to a strategic level.

“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. It is in this spirit that we anticipate the launch of political consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers,” she said.

Fediv said the dialogue between Ukranian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro last July reaffirmed the readiness of both nations to institutionalize foreign policy engagement.

As Ukraine expressed gratitude to the Philippines for its support on multilateral platforms and to Ukraine’s candidacy to the UNESCO Executive Board and to the United Nations Economic and Social Council for the 2026–2028, she said that Ukraine, in turn, will extend its full support to the Philippine candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027–2028.

Meanwhile, Fediv confirmed that both governments are preparing to launch deputy foreign minister-level consultations to institutionalize foreign policy dialogue.

On the economic front, she said the trade relationship between the Philippines and Ukraine reveals an opportunity to grow.

In 2024, Fediv said the total trade in goods between the two countries stood at almost USD70 million, with Ukrainian exports amounting to USD12 million and imports from Philippines totaling almost USD57 million.

“In the first half of 2025, the figures remain consistent with this trend. Our principal exports – wheat, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals – meet core needs of the Philippine market, while Ukraine imports high-value electronics and industrial components from the Philippines,” Fediv said.

“We believe the Philippine market could become a vital entry point for Ukrainian goods into Southeast Asia. Ukrainian producers see growth potential here, particularly in grain, dairy, sunflower oil, honey, and confectionery goods, as well as pharmaceutical products with long shelf lives.”

Beyond diplomacy, Fediv outlined concrete areas of cooperation, including draft agreements on agriculture, cyber defense, trade, and defense cooperation which Ukraine submitted to the Philippine side, calling them as “gateways to structured collaboration.”

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Charles Jose, who represented the Philippine government at the event, reaffirmed Manila’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and expressed hope that bilateral relations will “take a new level” through cooperation in trade, agriculture, technology, and innovation.

Jose said peace in Kyiv is “crucial to global security.”

“We remain committed in supporting all efforts to establish a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine,” he said.