In photo: Non-resident Ukrainian ambassador to the Philippines Olexander Nechytaylo during a roundtable discussion with the media at Dusit Manila last Thursday, May 5 (Photo from THEPHILBIZNEWS)
By Monsi A. Serrano
Non-resident Ukrainian ambassador to the Philippines Olexander Nechytaylo met with the Philippine media last Thursday, May 5, and shared the current situation of Ukraine under Russia’s continued aggression.
The Ukrainian envoy also expressed his gratitude for the support given by the Philippine government and its stand on condemning the invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, Ambassador Nechytaylo also expressed gratitude to the government for its willingness to accept Ukrainian refugees in the Philippines.
He also asked the Filipino people to fight against fake news about the ongoing war since the Russian propaganda has sown confusion to many people in the world most especially among the Russians and cited the critical role of the media in fighting the false propaganda of Russia.
In the sideline interview with THEPHILBIZNEWS, Ambassador Nechytaylo said, “The media plays a critical role in delivering information to the public. We have to fight the disinformation and you as members of the media will be instrumental in stopping this, as Russia continues to step up its false propaganda in justifying the war.”
Apart from that, the Ukrainian envoy appealed to the Philippine companies and businessmen to stop doing business with Russia and just transact with other countries.
“Realistically and long term, if you compare the potential revenue or potential profit of continuing doing business with Russia, you will realize that the loss will be much more,” he said.
“I beseech the international and Philippine business community to cease doing business with Russia,” he added.
He also warned that this ongoing Russian invasion on Ukraine may also lead to global food security problems, unstable oil prices and jacked up prices of other goods as this crisis will make the whole more unstable.
“The Russian invasion on Ukraine is the “largest humanitarian disaster in Europe since World War II, and has other implications to other regions and the global community,” he added.
