Ukraine seeks a just peace

“Our liberty will not be secured at the sword’s point... We must secure it by making ourselves worthy of it. And when the people reach that height, God will provide a weapon, the idols will be shattered, tyranny will crumble like a house of cards and liberty will shine out like the first dawn.”

– José Rizal

Keep fighting – you are sure to win!

God helps you in your fight!

For fame and freedom, march with you,

And the right is on your side!

– Taras Shevchenko

As the first Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of the Philippines, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Filipino people for their support in our struggle for freedom and dignity. I appreciate the humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine and the solidarity I witness daily in Manila. Thank you to the President, the Government and the members of Parliament for their dedication to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and for supporting us during the UN vote. Your help during this challenging time means a lot to us. Thank you for standing with Ukraine.

I begin my first publication featuring quotes from two literary icons and national symbols: José Rizal and Taras Shevchenko. These quotes highlight the themes of dignity and the struggle for freedom, values that have historically united our people, especially in the face of war and oppression.

During my early term, I visited the José Rizal monument and realized how much we share in common. Both Rizal and Shevchenko boldly used poetry to address colonial injustice. Our struggles for independence and the formation of civil society connect us, along with our love for nature and similar cuisine – I particularly enjoy Filipino food.

Music is also central to our cultures, with folk songs expressing our deepest feelings. Both Ukrainians and Filipino cherish sports and competition. I saw children joyfully playing basketball on makeshift courts while thinking of our own kids, who often seek shelter from air raid alarms. We share determination, supporting each other in joyous times and during challenges.

When asked what I would like to borrow from Filipinos for Ukraine, I jokingly replied: smiles. The warmth, hospitality and genuine smiles found on the streets are truly special.

I am often referred to as a young ambassador, and I like to add, “of a young country with a long history.” Ukraine regained its independence in 1991, when I was five years old, living in the small city of Chernivtsi in southwestern Ukraine. By the time I turned six, Ukraine and the Philippines had established diplomatic relations.

In 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Philippines for the first time, leading to the historic opening of the embassy of Ukraine in Manila – an achievement that took over 30 years.

During that time, I pursued my education as a diplomat and civil servant in Ukraine, the European Union and the United States. I was also involved in building state institutions, such as the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation, from the ground up, while working in the field of diplomacy, culture and media. Along the way, I got married and welcomed my son, Mark, into the world. His birth took place in a shelter beneath a hospital, accompanied by the sound of air raid alarms. The following night, he fell asleep beside me in the shelter, as explosions rang out overhead because Russia was launching missile strikes on Kyiv. This has become the new reality in my country – where explosions, sirens, evacuations and the illegal deportation of children by occupiers to the aggressor country have become commonplace. Our schools, kindergartens, hospitals and energy infrastructure have suffered immense destruction.

When I mention that we are united by faith, I think of the hundreds of churches and temples that have been damaged or destroyed by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Back in school, I dreamed of becoming a diplomat, representing my country and doing as much as possible for Ukraine on the international stage. That is why I felt proud to accept the opportunity to become the first Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of the Philippines. I embraced this challenge, and just four months after the birth of my son, I arrived in Manila with a clear goal: to establish and strengthen the work of the embassy, to learn about and experience your country, to discover our shared values and to build relationships that will change the course of history for both Ukraine and Philippines.

I want to outline the primary objectives of the newly established embassy of Ukraine. Our focus will be on the following areas:

• Enhancing collaboration within international organizations and promoting bilateral meetings at both government and parliamentary levels.

• Strengthening cooperation in the economy and trade, especially in agricultural products and emerging technologies.

• Building connections in education, science and research.

• Developing collaborative initiatives focused on cultural and informational policies.

I begin my first publication with quotes from José Rizal on dignity and Taras Shevchenko on struggle to illustrate Ukraine’s commitment to freedom. As Rizal said, our dignity will be our sword. Ukraine will continue to fight because surrendering would mean accepting evil and violations of international law, leading to greater impunity worldwide. History warns us against reconciling with aggressors. What we seek is a just peace, which we aim to achieve in collaboration with the Philippines and our global partners. We will prevail.

Salamat po!

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Yuliia Fediv is the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Philippines.