Ukraine on Thursday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to suspend its talks with Russia as well as to isolate the latter internationally amid the lingering conflict between the two nations.

Olexander Nechytaylo, non-resident Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines, said “the international community should be united” in terms of addressing “this kind of crisis.”

Nechytaylo said “Russia should not be part of Asean strategic partnership anymore” and “it has to be suspended” until the “unprovoked” aggression continues.

“It should not be part of ASEAN, it should not be part of any other international organizations because the action in Ukraine shows that they blatantly disregard the international law,” he said in an interview with reporters in Makati.

“International unity is critical,” he added.

Nechytaylo said he is also set to meet Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who will represent the Philippines in the United States-ASEAN Special Summit.

As he lamented about the ongoing war that has since become “the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II,” he said Ukraine believes “that the current framework for international justice is not sufficient.”

Link: ManilaBulletin