By Dr Oleksandr Balanutsa Ambassador of Ukraine to Kuwait

Today, Ukraine and Kuwait mark a very special day – the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our friendly countries. On behalf of our Embassy, I sincerely congratulate Kuwaiti friends and partners on this highly symbolic occasion. Throughout these years of building strong ties, we have managed to achieve great results in the mutually beneficial political, trade, educational, cultural and other types of cooperation.

Only during my cadence here, we have held two Weeks of Ukraine in Kuwait and dozens of other public diplomacy projects, introduced numerous Ukrainian businessmen to Kuwaiti counterparts, received a couple of official delegations from Ukraine. I wish we could celebrate our anniversary in better circumstances – with diplomatic receptions, smiles and wishes of further well-being.

However, my people back at home are fighting in the existential defensive war. The enemy is still committing atrocities, war crimes, missiles and drones’ terror through all the territory of Ukraine. Kuwait has also passed at the time through a similar ordeal. The black Thursday of the 24th February 2022 became a turning point for Ukraine, its statehood and identity, just like the black Thursday of the 2d August 1990 for Kuwait.

It is essential that Kuwait’s example has demonstrated that the international law and justice finally prevails, so we spare no efforts to make it happen for Ukraine. Kuwait as Humanitarian Leader always stands by the side of good and justice. My team and I are deeply grateful to Kuwait for its firm stance towards Ukraine at the UN and regional levels, as well as all that assistance provided to my people in the most critical moments of our existential struggle. We are blessed to share the same language of values and aspirations for peace.

Needless to say that Ukraine as an open and multicultural country is seeking to further enhance bilateral cooperation with Kuwait. Hopefully, when the President Zelenskyy’s 10-point Peace Formula works and brings us a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, we will be able to open up new, yet undiscovered prospects for the bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Kuwait.