Ukrainian foreign minister says he discussed keeping tension low with Iranian counterpart
- The two men spoke in July after a Ukrainian drone strike on an Iranian ship which killed one sailor and injured another
Ukrainian and Iranian foreign ministers met to discuss de-escalation and maintaining communication channels, following tensions over Iranian drones used by Russia and a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian ship.
- Ukrainian and Iranian foreign ministers' meeting.
- Ukraine's stance on Iranian-designed drones.
- Tensions after a Ukrainian drone strike on an Iranian ship.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday he discussed ways of keeping tension in check at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araqchi.
Sybiha said on X the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York was a follow-up to a telephone conversation the two held in July.
In more than 4-1/2 years of conflict with Russia, Ukraine has faced barrages of Iranian-designed drones. Kyiv has over that time developed technology to counter drone threats and offered its assistance to Middle Eastern countries facing strikes by Tehran.
“Diplomacy is about direct conversation, even in challenging circumstances,” Sybiha wrote.
“Our conversation focused on mutual steps to prevent further aggravation of tensions between our countries. We agreed to keep existing channels of communication open.”
Sybiha said the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and Europe “as well as various tracks of ongoing peace efforts”.
“I reiterated Ukraine’s position in support of a sooner restoration of peace and stability in both our regions.”
The two men spoke in July after a Ukrainian drone strike on an Iranian ship which killed one sailor and injured another.
Iran denounced the attack and threatened retaliation. Sybiha said then that he asked Araqchi to refrain from any escalatory steps and to end any support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.