Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi have agreed to maintain communication channels and explore steps to prevent further tensions between Kiev and Tehran.
The two ministers met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, following a phone conversation in July, Sybiha said in a statement on X.
“Diplomacy is about direct conversation, even in challenging circumstances,” Sybiha said, adding that the meeting focused on “mutual steps to prevent further aggravation of tensions between our countries.”
The ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Middle East and Europe, as well as various ongoing peace efforts. Sybiha said he reiterated Ukraine’s support for swiftly restoring peace and stability in both regions.
Talks follow dispute over Iranian vessel
The meeting comes after tensions rose in July over an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea that Tehran said killed one sailor and wounded another.
Sybiha and Araghchi held a phone call at the time, with the Ukrainian minister saying Kiev sought to avoid “unnecessary escalation” with Tehran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had struck vessels involved in military cargo shipments linked to Iran, without identifying the Iranian vessel involved.
Sybiha said Ukraine’s actions were aimed solely at defending the country against Russia’s offensives and were not intended to target civilian vessels or people. He also urged Iran to avoid escalation and end its support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Araghchi said after the July call that Sybiha had assured him the incident was unintentional and that Kiev did not seek an escalation.
Kiev and Tehran keep diplomatic channels open
Iran has been a key military partner of Russia during the war in Ukraine, while Kiev has repeatedly accused Tehran of supporting Moscow’s military campaign, including through the supply of Iranian-designed drones.
Against that backdrop, Wednesday’s meeting provides a diplomatic channel between the two countries as broader conflicts dominate discussions at the UN General Assembly.
Sybiha said the two sides would maintain existing lines of communication, while continuing to exchange views on developments in Europe and the Middle East and efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability.
