BAGHDAD: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is set to embark on his first visit to Iraq since Russia invaded his country in 2022. Kuleba is scheduled to hold talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani on Monday.
According to a statement released by the Iraqi foreign ministry, the discussions between the two foreign ministers will focus on “bolstering bilateral ties, as well as regional and international” issues. The statement also quoted the foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahhaf.
Kuleba’s visit to Iraq comes just days after Sudani received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he expressed his desire to enhance relations with Iraq in all areas.
Sudani’s office issued a statement confirming that the Iraqi Prime Minister shared Zelensky’s sentiments, describing Iraq as a “pivotal and influential country”.
Despite Iraq’s good economic relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, the country has maintained a neutral stance since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Iraqi foreign minister reiterates Baghdad’s support for negotiations to end Ukraine conflict
In February of this year, the Iraqi foreign minister reiterated Baghdad’s support for a ceasefire and negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine during a visit by his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Iraq has recently been the site of intense diplomatic activity, hosting several rounds of reconciliation talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
In March, the two regional powers announced that they had agreed to restore diplomatic ties in a deal brokered by China.
Riyadh had severed ties with Tehran after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran in 2016, following the Saudi execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Kuleba’s visit to Iraq underscores Ukraine’s desire to strengthen ties with countries in the region and seek diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The discussions between the two foreign ministers will also provide an opportunity to exchange views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Kuleba’s visit to Iraq signals a new phase in the relationship between the two states and could have significant implications for the region as a whole.
