Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday the Philippines will take part in a peace conference hosted by Switzerland this month, and he thanked the Philippines for its support.
After Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hosted Zelenskyy for talks at the presidential palace, Zelenskyy said on X that Ukraine plans to open an embassy in Manila this year.
“I am grateful to the Philippines for supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, for its clear position on Russia's aggression against our country, and for supporting important UN resolutions,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian leader was in Singapore Sunday and told a security conference that China was helping Russian efforts to disrupt the peace conference set for June 15-16, with China pressuring leaders of other countries not to attend.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning rejected the accusation Monday, saying China “believes that all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis should be supported.”
China has been calling for a peace conference with equal participation of all sides, including Russia, which has not been invited. Russia also has called Zelenskyy’s peace plan requiring Russian withdrawal from Ukrainian territories a non-starter.
Despite its proclaimed neutrality, China’s trade with Russia has grown, allowing Moscow to weather Western economic sanctions.
Ukrainian, U.S. and other intelligence agencies also say there is evidence that Chinese parts are winding up in Russian weaponry, even if China is not directly arming its neighbor.
Monday attacks
A Russian rocket attack killed one person and injured two others in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine, the regional governor said Monday.
Oleg Synegubov said on Telegram the attack in the village of Slobozhanske also damaged a recreation center and houses.
Across the border in Russia’s Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said a Ukrainian drone attack hit three villages, damaging power and communications lines. Another drone flew into an unused commercial building, causing an explosion, Gladkov said on Telegram.
Russia’s defense ministry also said Monday it shot down a Ukrainian drone over Belgorod.
Some material was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
