Sibiga explained why he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga stated that his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was appropriate and beneficial, first and foremost, for Ukraine’s strategic security.

According to Andriy Sibiga, the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly was a follow-up to his July phone call with Abbas Araghchi. 

 

At that time, the parties agreed to maintain direct dialogue to prevent further escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Iran.

“At that time, thanks to diplomacy, we managed to reduce tensions and defuse immediate threats,” Sibiga noted.

During the meeting, Andriy Sibiga and Abbas Araghchi discussed the situation in Ukraine and Iran, regional issues, and peace efforts.

The Ukrainian foreign minister emphasized that diplomacy involves not only contacts with friendly nations but also direct dialogue with countries that maintain close ties with Russia.

“Diplomacy isn’t just about meetings with friendly countries and photos where everyone is smiling and hugging. Sometimes it’s also about having a frank conversation with an ally of your enemy. We don’t have to agree on everything in order to talk,” said the foreign minister.

According to Sibiga, Ukraine continues to maintain direct dialogue even with countries that have close ties to Russia.

“I believe the meeting was appropriate and useful, first and foremost for Ukraine’s strategic security interests,” Sibiga emphasized.

At the same time, relations between Kyiv and Tehran remain tense. On July 25, Iran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea.

According to the Iranian side, one sailor was killed and another was injured as a result of the incident.

Against this backdrop, the Ukrainian side continues to use diplomatic channels for direct dialogue with Iran.

The head of Ukrainian diplomacy spoke about this in an interview with Ukrinform.

As a reminder, Turkey and Egypt are working to find a formula for a partial resumption of shipping and grain exports in the Black Sea. At the same time, India is also working on a possible energy truce between Ukraine and Russia.

Sybiga called on the EU not to lift sanctions against Usmanov and Friedman.

Oligarchs Usmanov and Friedman blocked the extension of EU sanctions against Russia.

Kallas announced new sanctions against Russia.

The EU has published a full list of new sanctions against Russia.