MANILA: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his Philippine counterpart on Monday for Manila’s participation in a high-level peace summit later this month, describing it as a “very strong signal” toward achieving peace in the war-torn nation.
In their first-in person meeting in Manila, Zelensky also thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for his country’s “clear position” on Russia’s “occupation of our territories,” while the Philippine leader assured him of his continued support.
“I’m happy to hear today from you that you participate (in) our basic steps to the peace,” Zelensky told Marcos during their bilateral meeting, speaking in English. He thanked Marcos for Manila’s participation in the peace summit, saying “it’s a very strong signal.”
It was not immediately clear if Marcos would attend the summit or if he would send an envoy.
“Thank you so much (for) your big word, and clear position... about this Russian occupation of our territories,” he said, adding that Ukraine will open an embassy in Manila this year.
Wearing a black shirt and olive fatigues, Zelensky arrived at the presidential palace on Monday after an unscheduled appearance at Asia’s biggest security conference in Singapore during the weekend to drum up support for the two-day peace summit in Switzerland.
Marcos delivered the keynote address at the security forum, criticizing what he described as illegal, coercive and aggressive actions by “other actors” in the South China Sea — a censure of China, although he didn’t name the country.
Marcos told Zelensky he was “honored” the Ukrainian leader 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.
Russia, which calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation,” has not been invited to the June 15-16 summit to be hosted by the Swiss government. Russia has dismissed the talks as meaningless without its participation.
While in Singapore, Zelensky told a news conference that he was not able to meet the Chinese delegation at the conference and was disappointed that Beijing, a Moscow ally, would not attend the summit.
Zelensky has urged US President Joe Biden to attend, although Washington has yet to confirm who it will send.
Ukraine’s Zelensky thanks Marcos for Philippine participation in peace summit
https://arab.news/bvq3y
Ukraine’s Zelensky thanks Marcos for Philippine participation in peace summit
- Russia not invited to the June 15-16 summit to be hosted by the Swiss government
- Moscow has dismissed the talks as meaningless without its participationUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, during a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace in Manila on June 3, 2024. (Reuters)
Suspect in Michigan synagogue attack is dead, AP source says
- The person confirmed the death at the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township
- Patel said agents were on scene of an “apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation” at the synagogue
MICHIGAN, USA: The suspect in an attack on a synagogue in Michigan is dead, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press, after a sheriff said security at the largest Reform Synagogue in the US had engaged in gunfire.
The person confirmed the death at the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, but did not provide additional details. The person could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The person said no one else was reported injured.
Oakland County Sheriff Sheriff Mike Bouchard confirmed during an earlier news conference that security at the synagogue had engaged in gunfire with at least one person, and that no one was in custody.
WDIV-TV reported that a truck had crashed into the synagogue. Smoke could be seen billowing from the synagogue’s roof. Footage from the scene shows dozens of police vehicles surrounding the building.
FBI Director Kash Patel said agents were on scene of an “apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation” at the synagogue.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s office said authorities are clearing the building. About a dozen parents sprinted to get their children from an early childhood learning center inside the building after getting approval from police. West Bloomfield School District went on lockdown.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement saying she was tracking developments.
“This is heartbreaking,” the governor said. “Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace.”
Temple Israel calls itself the nation’s largest Reform synagogue, with 12,000 members. according to its website. It has an early childhood education center and offers educational programs for families and adults.
The website says the synagogue is “passionate about helping Jewish communities across the globe” and that its mission is to “create a community building through the lens of Reform Judaism.”
The Jewish Federation of Detroit advised all Jewish organizations in the area “to go into lockout protocol — nobody in or out of your building.”
