Zelenskyy in Philippines to promote peace summit he says China and Russia are trying to undermine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an unexpected visit to the Philippines on March 20, 2023, marking his first trip to Asia since taking office in 2019. The primary purpose of his visit was to appeal to regional leaders to attend a Swiss-organized global peace summit aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The summit, scheduled for April 2023 in the Swiss city of Lugano, is an initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss government. It aims to bring together representatives from various countries, including those directly involved in the conflict, to discuss potential avenues for peace and de-escalation.

Zelenskyy's accusations against Russia and China stem from their perceived efforts to undermine the peace summit. According to reports, both countries have expressed reservations about attending the event, citing various reasons. Russia has been a major antagonist in the conflict, annexing Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. China, although not directly involved, has maintained close ties with Moscow and has been criticized for its perceived lack of support for Ukraine's sovereignty.

During his visit to Manila, Zelenskyy met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss the importance of the Lugano peace summit and the need for international cooperation in resolving the conflict. Marcos Jr., who assumed office just last year, expressed his support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty but did not commit to attending the summit at that time.

Zelenskyy also held talks with other Filipino officials, including Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., to discuss potential areas of cooperation between Ukraine and the Philippines. The two countries share diplomatic relations and have collaborated on various projects, including military exercises and cultural exchanges.

The Ukrainian president's visit to the Philippines marked an important moment in his diplomatic efforts to rally international support for the Lugano peace summit. With key players like Russia and China remaining hesitant to participate, the success of the event remains uncertain. However, Zelenskyy's visit to Manila underscores the importance of engaging regional powers in the pursuit of peace and stability in Ukraine.