ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Ukraine reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and reviving trade during interagency consultations held in the Kazakh capital on April 1. The meeting was co-chaired by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov and Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mischenko.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Kuantyrov with Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mischenko. Photo credit: gov.kz
According to the ministry’s press service, the sides discussed a broad range of issues, including trade, investment, agriculture, logistics, and humanitarian cooperation, with a focus on increasing trade turnover and diversifying exports.
At the conclusion of the talks, both sides agreed to continue dialogue between their foreign ministries to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Speaking to The Astana Times, Mischenko stressed that Ukraine’s sovereignty remains central to its international partnerships.
“Territorial integrity remains the primary issue and it is the cornerstone of our cooperation. We are deeply grateful to Kazakhstan for its humanitarian assistance. The country has provided more than 600 tons of aid to Ukraine, particularly during the winter period. This support has been critical for Ukraine’s resilience,” he said.
At the same time, Kyiv is seeking to rebuild economic ties with Astana. According to Mischenko, trade negotiations between the two countries have resumed, alongside renewed engagement between business communities.
“We are prepared to explore concrete opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as machinery, agriculture, and beyond,” he said.
The Astana times spoke with Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mischenko. Photo credit: The Astana Times
He added that during his visit, he also met with members of Kazakhstan’s parliamentary delegation, where discussions covered industrial cooperation, humanitarian issues, and the potential resumption of academic exchanges between universities.
Trade between Kazakhstan and Ukraine has dropped significantly since the start of the war.
“Before the war, trade between our countries reached $5.5 billion. Today, it has dropped to approximately $500 million. This decline underscores the need to actively rebuild and expand our economic engagement,” Mischenko said.
Logistics is emerging as a key area for potential growth.
“We are exploring the possibility of restoring transportation routes linking the Black Sea, the Caspian region, and onward through Kazakhstan. This could become a strategically important corridor,” he said.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine is already looking ahead to post-war cooperation. He added that specific proposals on cooperation, including in the energy sector, are being developed as part of ongoing bilateral engagement.
“Kazakhstan’s vast energy resources present opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, including potential integration into Ukrainian markets,” he concluded.
