Zelensky seeking mental health workers from Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — As his nation continues its campaign to push back invading Russians, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit in Manila as part of his efforts to drum up support for an upcoming peace summit to be held in Switzerland, which aims to muster broad global support for his country.

Ukraine has complained that China is blocking global participation in the summit.

Meeting with President Marcos at Malacañang yesterday, Zelensky also relayed his country’s need for Filipino mental health workers especially for battle-weary soldiers.

Fighters returning to their families, especially those from the battlefront, need help with mental health issues in restoring normalcy in their lives, Zelensky told Marcos.

“It’s difficult for them… to study again,” Zelensky noted.

Marcos committed to send mental health workers to Ukraine, through the United Nations peacekeeping process.

“That is something that I think we are able to offer,” he told Zelensky.

Marcos stressed that the Philippines is well-known for its contributions to health care assistance even in crisis-areas, which is part of the country’s commitment to the UN peacekeeping process.

“I am happy to do all that we can to make sure that we can help especially the civilians and the innocents that are involved in the war. This is something that comes naturally to the Philippines so this will be something that we could pursue,” Marcos said.

He also committed to help Ukraine “in any way possible,” especially the civilians affected by constant attacks on villages by Russian forces.

The two leaders met yesterday at Malacañang after failing to meet at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue – Asia’s largest defense summit – in Singapore.

Zelensky reportedly arrived in Manila late Sunday after delivering a speech at the annual security summit in Singapore. Marcos delivered the keynote address at the event Friday night and returned to Manila early Saturday.

The Ukraine leader made an unexpected side trip to Manila to personally invite Marcos to the upcoming global peace summit in Switzerland, which Russia and China were reportedly trying to undermine, according to Zelensky.

In black polo shirt and cargo