Ukrainian foreign minister to visit Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is set to arrive Baghdad on Monday in a visit aimed at developing bilateral relations between the two countries, according to the spokesperson of the Iraqi foreign ministry.

The purpose of Kuleba’s visit is to “discuss strengthening bilateral relations, and to consult on how to deal with various regional and international issues and challenges,” Ahmed al-Sahaf told Iraqi state media on Sunday.

The Ukrainian foreign minister is set to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.

Kuleba’s visit comes a week after Sudani received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which the two leaders highlighted the need to reach a lasting peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine, and agreed to activate and increase cooperation mechanisms between Kyiv and Baghdad.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year but Iraq has so far steered away from taking sides in the conflict or publically condemning Moscow. 

In March 2022, Iraq abstained from voting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in a United Nations resolution, showing Baghdad’s willingness to maintain its relations with Moscow.

Iraqi foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in February called for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a press conference in Baghdad with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, saying Iraq’s stance towards wars is clear as the Iraqi people have suffered from many years of conflict.