The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has called for peace in Ukraine as Russia’s aggression against the country entered its second year.

“Today marks the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Philippines underscores the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter,” the DFA said in a statement Saturday.

The Philippines, it said, has articulated its principled position on Ukraine and has consistently supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.

The DFA said ever since the war between Moscow and Kyiv broke out, Manila has voted in favor of the six resolutions of the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.

“The Philippines reiterates its call on concerned Parties to seek a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict,” it said.

“We recall the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes, which reaffirms the principle that all States shall settle their disputes by peaceful means.”

Data from the United Nations show that at least 10,500 civilians in Ukraine have died and more have been injured.

Schools, hospitals, and other vital civilian infrastructure have been destroyed, and several hundred towns and villages were cut off from electricity during a brutal winter.

To date, millions of people have been displaced and depend on humanitarian assistance, it said.

During an address at the UN Security Council meeting on Feb. 23, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres underscored the need to honor the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

“Many Ukrainians are experiencing the living nightmare of losing their children. All children that have been deported must be reunited with their families,” Guterres said.

“The war is also hurting the people of Russia. Thousands of young Russians are dying on the front lines. Civilians hit by strikes on Russian cities are also suffering.”

He then raised concern over the danger of the war escalating, saying the conflict expanding “is very real.”

“Around the world, the war is deepening geopolitical divides. Fanning regional instability. Shrinking the space available to address other urgent global issues,” he said.

“(W)e have had two years of fighting, two years of suffering, two years of stoking global tensions and straining global relations. Enough.” (PNA)

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