Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy visits Philippines to promote peace summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Philippine counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., held their first in-person bilateral meeting in Manila on Monday.

Zelenskyy thanked Marcos for supporting a high-level peace summit scheduled in Switzerland later this month and aimed at ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

 Zelensky said more than 100 nations were expected to participate in the peace summit scheduled on June 15-16.

It was unclear if Marcos would attend the meeting or send a representative. 

Here's a look at the latest developments regarding Russia's war on Ukraine on Monday, June 3.

06/03/2024June 3, 2024

Proposed EU ban on Russian LNG transshipments poses no problems for Asia: EU energy commissioner

Proposed European sanctions targeting transshipments of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) are unlikely to impact Asian buyers, European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, told the media in Tokyo on Monday.

As part of a 14th package of sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the European Union proposed to ban reloading services by EU facilities for transshipment of Russian LNG to third countries. 

This does not impact imports into the EU.

The EU would also prohibit new investments and the provisions of goods, technology and services by EU operators for the completion of LNG projects under construction such as Arctic LNG and Murmansk LNG.

"This will not impose problems for Asian consumers: LNG market now is a liquid market and it is possible to replace volumes even if Russia will not find alternative transport means," Simson said.

Germany, Belgium and France, along with other nations, have asked the European Commission for assessments on whether the ban may affect the Russian economy more than the EU's, according to diplomats.

Simson said the Commission has provided its member states with "all the necessary data" that the proposal will not affect global markets significantly.

"It only means that Russia has to use alternative vessels to serve their third country customers that will be more expensive for Russia but otherwise it doesn't withdraw volumes away from global markets," she said.
 

06/03/2024June 3, 2024

Civilian killed in Russian attack on Kharkiv, governor says

One person was killed and two others were injured in an overnight Russian attack on Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, the region's governor said in a statement posted on the Telegram messaging app on Monday. 

The Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, along with the Kharkiv city, which is the administrative center of the region, have been battered almost daily, with attacks being stepped up in recent weeks after Moscow's forces launched a new offensive in the area.

06/03/2024June 3, 2024

Thousands mourn death of Ukrainian journalist and combat medic

Nearly 1,000 people came together in central Kyiv on Sunday for the memorial service of a young Ukrainian journalist and volunteer combat medic who was killed in action last week.

Iryna Tsybukh, 25, was killed while serving in the Kharkiv area, where Russia started its offensive almost a month ago.

Her funeral service, held at Saint Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery on Sunday, saw hundreds of people wearing colorful Ukrainian vyshyvankas — embroidered national shirts — and carrying Ukrainian flags and flowers.

Tsybukh's coffin was draped in the yellow-and-blue Ukrainian flag.

She was a part of the Hospitallers volunteer battalion and was credited with saving the lives of many soldiers, often risking her own life to evacuate injured servicemen from the line of duty.

Last year while stationed on the front lines in the eastern Donetsk region, she penned down a farewell letter to be published in the case of her death.

Her death sparked widespread reaction on social media, where her letter went viral for several days after her death.

"I am not sorry to die, because I am finally living the life I would like. I will not lie, to feel this indispensable, true freedom, I will have to go through more than one more session of therapy, fears and tears," the letter, published by her brother, said.

 "Be worthy of the deeds of our heroes, don't be sad, be brave," she added.

06/03/2024June 3, 2024

Ukraine to open embassy in Manila

Ukrainewill open an embassy in Manila this year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during his bilateral talks with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos welcomed the decision as it would help facilitate more assistance to the war-battered nation.

"We continue to do all that we can to promote peace and to bring an end to the fighting," Marcos said as the two leaders held their first in-person meeting in Manila. 
 

06/03/2024June 3, 2024

Ukraine's Zelenskyy meets Philippines' Marcos

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the Philippines during a rare Asian visit to call on regional leaders to attend a global peace summit, scheduled to be held in Switzerland later this month.

Zelenskyy accused Russia as well as China of trying to undermine the peace summit. 

Zelenskyy met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila on Monday and thanked him for his country's "clear position" on Moscow’s "occupation of our territories." Marcos assured Zelenskyy of his country's continued support.

The Ukrainian president traveled late Sunday to Manila, unannounced and under heavy security. 

He made the trip from Singapore where he made an unscheduled appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue conference. 

Zelenskyy thanked his Philippine counterpart for the country’s participation in the upcoming Swiss peace summit, describing it as a "very strong signal" towards achieving peace in the war-torn nation.

It wasn't clear if the Filipino leader had agreed to attend the peace summit in Switzerland or to send an envoy.

The trip was Zelenskyy's second visit to Asia since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Zelenskyy, who was visiting the Philippines for the first time since taking office in 2019, received a red carpet welcome with military honors at the presidential palace before meeting with Marcos.

Marcos told Zelenksyy he was "honored" the Ukrainian president was visiting Manila.

"It's a great pleasure to meet, to discuss, issues that are common for both countries, and hopefully, we find ways for both of us together," Marcos said.

dvv/sms (AP, Reuters; AFP; dpa)