Ukraine’s foreign minister discusses bilateral ties with UAE, Vietnam

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held discussions Monday with the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam on strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation.

During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the UAE, Sybiha met with his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for talks on deepening ties, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.

“During the official visit of President Zelenskyy to the UAE, I held good bilateral negotiations with my colleague Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I expressed gratitude to the UAE for supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We discussed cooperation in international organizations,” Sybiha said.

“Ukraine is interested in fully realizing our bilateral potential, particularly the new opportunities provided by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. We also discussed regional challenges, Ukraine’s role as a guarantor of food security, and ways to expand our ‘Grain from Ukraine’ program to assist Syria,” he added.

Sybiha also highlighted the symbolic use of sunflowers in the protocol decorations during Zelenskyy’s visit, calling it “a sign of special respect for Ukraine.”

“We appreciate the UAE’s hospitality and hope to bring our relations to a new level,” he added.

Separately, Sybiha held a phone call with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, where they discussed ways to enhance high-level dialogue and cooperation.

“I had a conversation with Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. We discussed the potential of our bilateral relations and the need to intensify high-level dialogue,” Sybiha said.

“We are working to strengthen international support for achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace,” he added.