• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Israel agree in Kyiv to launch a strategic dialogue on the Iranian threat

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

23 July 2025 12:16

On Wednesday, 23 July, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha welcomed his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar to Kyiv, marking his first bilateral visit to Ukraine in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel.

The foreign ministers conducted detailed talks covering a wide range of issues, including security, humanitarian and economic cooperation, innovation development, and joint initiatives.

Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine sees significant opportunities for deepening its cooperation with Israel in such areas as healthcare, energy, agriculture, and cybersecurity.

"Ukraine and Israel have significant potential in the field of defence technologies. The time has come to realise this potential jointly for the sake of the security and stability of our countries," - the minister said.

The Foreign Minister emphasised the importance of resuming the work of the Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and holding its next meeting.

"Last year, our trade turnover increased by more than 65%, reaching nearly one billion US dollars. We must maintain this positive trend. We plan to consider prospects for cooperation in the defence industry and identify priority joint projects," - Andrii Sybiha noted.

The minister also proposed to resume political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries for the first time since 2022.

Particular attention was paid to issues of regional security, including the peaceful settlement in the Middle East. The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic service reaffirmed that Ukraine has always been and remains committed to international law, the protection of civilians, and the pursuit of just solutions.

During the talks, the ministers agreed to launch strategic dialogue between Ukraine and Israel on the Iranian threat. According to Andrii Sybiha, both countries are currently facing common security challenges. Against the backdrop of these threats, the foreign ministers agreed to intensify multilateral and bilateral cooperation.

"Iran and Russia pose an existential threat not only to our countries, but also to global security. Iran continues to destabilise the region by developing its nuclear programme and supplying weapons to terrorist groups," - he stressed.

The minister emphasised that Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang have aligned themselves as a bloc of rogue regimes that support one another and pose a threat to the entire free world.

The Foreign Minister also announced that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine had upgraded the status of the historical site of the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav in Uman from a local heritage site to a national heritage site.

"This is a sacred place that honours the founder of Breslov Hasidism. It now enjoys the highest level of state protection as an object of national heritage," - he noted.

Andrii Sybiha expressed his deep gratitude to Israel for its humanitarian aid, in particular for the project in the field of water supply to the southern regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Minister also handed over a non-paper to his counterpart regarding Ukraine's need for modular shelters to protect civilians.

"There is a need everywhere for solutions that enhance civilian security in the face of constant terror. Our countries are united by a shared history, culture, human ties, and the experience of common struggle. This is confirmed by archival documents that my colleague and I reviewed today regarding Ukrainian-Jewish relations," - the diplomat noted.

A special part of the visit was the presentation of archival diplomatic documents from the era of the Ukrainian People's Republic to the distinguished guests at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. In particular, the archival documents included orders for the creation of the first Jewish infantry battalion in Odesa between January and March 1918. This unit took part in the national liberation struggle of the Ukrainian People's Republic during the Central Rada, ensuring security and public order in Odesa.

Presenting the exhibition to his Israeli colleagues, Andrii Sybiha emphasised that these documents testify to the close diplomatic and interpersonal ties between Ukraine and Israel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its gratitude to Anatolii Khromov, Head of the State Archival Service, and Larysa Levchenko, Director of the Central State Archives of Supreme Bodies of Power and Government of Ukraine, for their efforts in locating and preparing the materials for the presentation.