Türkiye eyes stronger ties with Ukraine after new minister appointment

Türkiye is looking to strengthen strategic relations with Ukraine following the appointment of Andrii Sybiha as Foreign Minister, reports Ukrinform. The leadership change at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received a positive response in the Turkish media.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was among the first to congratulate the newly appointed minister, stated Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Türkiye.

“A phone call has already taken place between the newly appointed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. It was a productive conversation where they discussed a specific plan for cooperation in the near future and the activation of bilateral political dialogue. Topics included strengthening strategic partnerships, implementing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula, and security in the Black Sea region. They also coordinated positions ahead of the UN General Assembly,” Bodnar said.

Türkiye and Ukraine also plan to deepen defense cooperation. “A top priority for Ukraine is weapons. The new minister has repeatedly emphasized this. Even while serving as Ukraine’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Andrii Sybiha laid the groundwork for what is now well-known and successful cooperation between Ukraine and Türkiye in drone supply – the Bayraktars. Baykar has already invested over US$100 million in the Ukrainian economy. This is truly a special example of cooperation,” Bodnar added.

It is expected that the countries will soon ratify a Free Trade Agreement. Additionally, efforts are ongoing to involve Turkish businesses in Ukraine’s reconstruction. “Cooperation between Ukraine and Türkiye is developing in all areas. … Türkiye has significant influence on the global south and has already shown active involvement in implementing specific aspects of the Peace Formula,” emphasized the diplomat.

On September 5, the Verkhovna Rada appointed diplomat and lawyer Andrii Sybiha as Ukraine’s new Foreign Minister. Sybiha, a diplomat with many years of experience, served as Ukraine’s Ambassador to Türkiye from 2016 to 2021.

The second Ukraine’s ADA-class corvette, the Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi, was launched in Türkiye in August. The first ship of this class for the Ukrainian Navy, Hetman Ivan Mazepa, was launched in October 2022.