Foreign envoys reaffirm support for Ukraine
EIGHTEEN foreign ambassadors yesterday reaffirmed Ukraine’s “right to uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity, defend itself and choose its own future” as the country commemorates its 31st Independence Day Anniversary.
The ambassadors and chargé d’affaires of Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union Delegation to the Philippines issued a joint statement saying they have greater resolve than ever to stand with Ukraine in light of the ongoing brutal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable war of aggression of the Russian Federation against the European country.
Ukraine commemorated its independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, exactly six months since Russia entered Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
“Over the last 31 years, Ukraine has established itself as a free, democratic and sovereign country,” the joint statement read.
The envoys said the consequences of the conflict are “keenly felt” in the Philippines, through increases in the prices of fuel, food, fertilizer, and other essential commodities.
These price hikes, the ambassadors stressed are exacerbating poverty during a critical period of the country’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In light of this, we continue to commit to demonstrating global solidarity through working to address the international repercussions of Russia’s aggression, especially on the most vulnerable,” they said.
“We will also continue our international support to democratic institutions and advancing common values and principles, including free media and countering disinformation and interference in democratic processes,” they added.
The Ambassadors condemned and said they will not recognize Russia’s “continued attempts to re-draw borders by force, which is a blatant violation of international law, and breach of the United Nations Charter”.
“We reaffirm our strong opposition to any unilateral action that seeks to undermine the international rules-based system that underpins global peace, prosperity, and security. We continue to call on all states to join the growing chorus of condemnation for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” they said.
For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs said there is no standalone statement from the agency but Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo sent his greetings to his Ukrainian counterpart.
