The Philippines may opt to set up an embassy in Ukraine.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said “brave Ukraine deserves more than just a nonresident embassy in a neighboring country,” referring to the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw that currently holds jurisdiction over Filipinos in the war-torn country.
“I’m setting up a Philippine Embassy of its own in Ukraine but can’t keep my promise to be physically present in Kyiv, All of Ukraine is a no-fly zone; 19-hour train service is irregular depending on hostilities. That a heart is with you means nothing if not there to share peril,” he said.
Locsin provided no further details but the DFA said the opening of a new post will go through a process within the agency. His announcement follows his recent meeting with Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister Dmytro Senik on June 9 in Manila, where the latter invited Locsin to visit Ukraine.
“I enjoyed candid discussion with Foreign Secretary (Teodoro Locsin Jr.) about prospects of our bilateral relations, economic cooperation and Russia’s war against Ukraine. Glad we are on the same page. Invited him to visit Ukraine,” Senik said in a tweet.