Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga stated that Kyiv wants to restore pre-war levels of bilateral trade with Azerbaijan, which currently stands at about $600 million.
According to a correspondent for “Interfax-Ukraine,” Sibiga made this remark at a joint press conference with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov
“We have set ourselves the goal of returning to pre-war levels in terms of trade. We have now reached about $600 million,” said the minister.
In this context, the foreign ministers agreed to work toward holding the next meeting of the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in Ukraine.
The parties held detailed talks on the bilateral and international agenda, Ukraine’s preparations for the winter season, and strengthening energy security in the region.
“Over the past year and this year, we have seen a new dynamic in the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, with increased contacts at all levels. We view your visit as yet another element of this new and positive dynamic,” noted the Ukrainian diplomat.
The parties paid particular attention to the development of mutually beneficial economic, investment, and humanitarian cooperation. Sibiga stated that Ukraine values investments by Azerbaijani companies and looks forward to expanding their presence and implementing new joint projects.
The diplomats also discussed regional security issues in the South Caucasus and the Middle East. Andriy Sibiga briefed his Azerbaijani counterpart on Ukraine’s peace efforts and highlighted Azerbaijan’s important role in promoting peace and ensuring regional stability.
“We appreciate Azerbaijan’s principled stance in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ukraine has also always supported and continues to support Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is a constant in our relations,” emphasized the head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sybiga expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev, and the entire Azerbaijani people for their assistance to Ukraine from the very first days of the full-scale invasion.
“The restoration of civilian infrastructure in Irpin, humanitarian aid, equipment for energy facilities, and much more. We will always remember this,” he assured.
On July 7, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, met with Adebayo Ogunlesi, a member of the board of directors and senior managing director of “BlackRock.”
They discussed current issues related to further strengthening the strategic partnership, particularly in the fuel and energy sector. Progress on the company’s ongoing projects in Uzbekistan was noted with satisfaction.
The President outlined the priorities for cooperation with BlackRock. These include, in particular, expanding the partnership in the area of privatization, enhancing the country’s investment attractiveness, developing the financial market, promoting projects in the petrochemical sector, and joint investments in artificial intelligence technologies.
“BlackRock” is a major investment firm specializing in asset and fund management, as well as the provision of financial services. In 2026, the company’s assets under management reached 14 trillion U.S. dollars.
Ivan Verbitsky, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Culture, discussed with Pantelis Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos, the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Ukraine, the development of bilateral cooperation in the cultural sphere, particularly the preservation of cultural heritage, the exchange of expertise, and support for Ukrainian specialists.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Culture, the Greek side proposed launching cooperation with the European Center for Byzantine Studies, which specializes in the preservation of monuments, icons, and mosaics.
“We aim not only to talk about cooperation but to move toward concrete actions. In particular, we are considering the possibility of cooperation with the European Center for Byzantine Studies, which possesses the relevant expertise. We are ready to host Ukrainian specialists and cover the costs of their internships,” the press service quoted the ambassador as saying.
It is noted that the parties paid special attention to the issue of honoring the historical figure of Alexander Ypsilanti, who is associated with Ukraine.
In addition, the interlocutors exchanged views on potential cooperation within the framework of international cultural events, as well as the prospects for developing academic cooperation in the field of Ukrainian studies.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported on her meeting with Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Randip Sarai, with whom she discussed new steps in cooperation—ranging from funding for energy resilience to joint projects in the areas of housing for veterans and the development of strategic resources.
“I briefed him on the government’s work to prepare for the upcoming heating seasons as part of regional stability plans, as well as on Ukraine’s key needs for energy equipment to develop distributed generation. We highly appreciate Canada’s consistent support in strengthening our state and the recently announced contribution of 20 million Canadian dollars to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund,” she wrote on Telegram.
Svyrydenko thanked Canada for its willingness to cooperate in establishing a veterans’ support fund, which is intended to strengthen the reintegration system for Ukrainians after their service. “We look forward to further cooperation, particularly in sharing expertise in the field of construction of housing for veterans,” she emphasized.
In addition, she said, the two countries discussed cooperation in the field of critical minerals and the development of mineral deposits. The parties agreed to deepen cooperation in geological exploration.
Svyrydenko also invited Canadian partners to become active participants in an international donor conference aimed at mobilizing efforts to restore a new safe confinement at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant following the Russian attack.
Adonis Medical Network has begun cooperation with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) and is signing declarations to provide primary medical care under the Medical Guarantees Program (MGP).
According to Interfax-Ukraine, as part of the cooperation with the NSHU, patients who have signed a declaration will receive a full range of services under the MGP, including consultations with a family doctor, therapist, or pediatrician, dynamic monitoring of chronic diseases, issuance of sick leave certificates, medical certificates, electronic referrals to narrow-profile specialists, and electronic prescriptions under the Affordable Medicines Program, as well as basic laboratory and instrumental examinations.
According to the National Health Service of Ukraine, 479 private medical institutions and 953 individual entrepreneurs have been contracted for primary medical care under the PMG for 2026.
Founded in 1997, Adonis is a multidisciplinary medical center for adults and children. The medical group includes seven modern clinics in Kyiv and the region, more than 80 medical specialties, its own laboratories, operating centers, inpatient facilities, and departments of specialized specialists.
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Serhiy Kyslytsya discussed ways to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Liu Bin in Beijing.
“In Beijing, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Serhiy Kyslytsya held Ukrainian-Chinese political consultations with Assistant (Deputy) Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Liu Bin,” according to a statement from the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the report, the parties discussed topical issues on the bilateral agenda, outlined plans for further contacts at the highest and high levels, discussed ways to strengthen trade and economic cooperation, and issues of interaction within international organizations.
The interlocutors confirmed that mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the foundation of Ukrainian-Chinese relations.
“There was an in-depth exchange of views on the current situation related to the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, as well as international efforts to achieve sustainable and lasting peace,” the statement said.
As part of his working visit to Beijing, Kislitsya also met with representatives of Chinese expert and analytical circles, as well as the diplomatic corps of partner countries.
