Russia, which had come under fire in the international community for bringing North Korean soldiers into its more than three-year conflict with Ukraine, is now accusing the United States of bankrolling Filipino mercenaries.

The United States is reportedly recruiting Filipinos to help the Ukrainian forces in the conflict.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, an American company has been hiring retired Filipino military and police personnel.

“According to incoming information, US representatives have launched a campaign in the Philippines to recruit local citizens to fight on the side of the Ukrainian armed forces,” the foreign ministry said.

The ministry pointed to an obscure American company, RMS International, based in Florida that is supposedly recruiting Filipinos with the promise of up to P300,000 a month.

“Preference is given to former employees of the Philippine police and security agencies and retired military personnel,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She said the German embassy in Manila issues Schengen visas to the recruited individuals.

“The German embassy in Manila, the Philippines, issues Schengen visas to contractors planning to participate in the armed conflict on the side of the terrorist regime in Kyiv,” Zakharova claimed.

“Who do you think is listed as the employer? Berlin-based private security companies. Upon arrival in Germany, the recruits are transferred to other countries, including in the European Union such as Poland, and then to Ukraine. What guarantee is there that they won’t be sent elsewhere? None,” she said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson denied the Russian claim.

“DFA Secretary Tess Lazaro says it is fake news, according to Ukraine Embassy,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

Germany refutes allegation

The German Embassy in Manila has denied the claim of the Russian Foreign Ministry that its consular offices were issuing visas to Filipinos who were recruited to fight for Ukraine.

“We strictly refuse and deny those baseless allegations,” German Ambassador to the Philippines Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke said.

Zelensky phones BBM

Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken by phone with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on areas of cooperation between Manila and Kyiv.

In a social media post, Zelensky first expressed his sympathies for the devastating storms that hit the country in recent months.

“I spoke with the president of the Philippines @bongbongmarcos. I expressed condolences to the president for the lives lost and the destruction caused by the typhoons,” he said.

Zelensky also updated Marcos on his country’s coordination with the White House on securing peace for Ukraine.

“I am grateful for the Philippines’ support for the peace efforts, for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the clear stance,” he said.

The Philippines has called for peace in the region and expressed its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.

The two leaders discussed areas of cooperation, including food security, agriculture and digitalization.

Zelensky also said the Philippines expressed an interest in Ukrainian expertise and technologies, and was looking into potential partnerships in the future.

“We agreed that our teams will follow up on all these matters in the near future,” he said.

In 2024, Zelensky paid a visit to Malacañang where he mentioned his country’s plans to establish an embassy in the Philippines and Marcos expressed his government’s support.

Manila and Kyiv have maintained diplomatic ties for 33 years, since April 1992.

At his writing, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the US Embassy, and the Ukrainian Embassy in Manila have yet to issue official statements regarding the matter.