Text of From Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
RELATIONS
Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the State of Kuwait
Recognition of Ukraine: 18 April 1993.
Establishment of diplomatic relations: 18 April 1993.
Political relations
During the history of bilateral relations, the Presidents of Ukraine paid two official visits to Kuwait (in 2003 and 2018).
The visit of the Prime Minister of Ukraine to Kuwait was held in 1993. Official delegations led by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Ukraine visited Kuwait in 2013 and 2018.
Foreign Ministers of Ukraine visited Kuwait with official / working visits in 2002, 2011, 2018 and 2023, while the Minister of foreign affairs of Kuwait visited Ukraine only once (in 2004).
In November 2016 and February 2018, political consultations between the foreign ministries of Ukraine and Kuwait at the level of the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs were held in Kyiv and Kuwait respectively.
In March 2022, January 2023 and April 2023 – telephone conversations between the Ministers of foreign affairs of Ukraine and Kuwait.
May 19,2023 President of Ukraine V.Zelenskyy met with Crown Prince of Kuwait M. Al-Sabah on the sidelines of the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia.
Trade and economic cooperation
In 2021 the turnover of goods between Ukraine and Kuwait amounted to USD 44,52 million (+20.15% compared to 2020). Ukrainian export of goods amounted to USD 42.46 million (+17.1%), and import – USD 2.05 million (+161.4%). The surplus for Ukraine during this period amounted to USD 40.41 million.
According to State Statistics, in 2021 bilateral trade in services amounted to USD 1.55 million.
In November 2018 the 4th meeting of Ukrainian-Kuwaiti Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Technical and Trade Cooperation took place in Kuwait.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation
In recent years, a number of important cultural and humanitarian events took place in Kuwait, including a performance by the chamber orchestra of the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine (January, 2013), an exhibition of Petrykivka paintings (May, 2013), a performance of the Viriovka National Choir (August, 2015), performances of Virsky National Academic Dance Ensemble of Ukraine (January, 2019), concerts of the “Kyiv-Classic” Symphony Orchestra directed by Herman Makarenko and Ukrainian pianist and composer Yevhen Khmara (January, 2020), solo concerts of Yevhen Khmara (2022-2023) etc.
On January 19-24, 2020, for the first time in the history of bilateral relations in Kuwait, a large-scale promotion event called “Week of Ukraine in Kuwait” took place.
Bilateral agreements
The legal framework of Ukrainian-Kuwaiti relations consists of 16 bilateral documents.
Ukrainian community
Nearly 700 citizens of Ukraine temporarily and permanently reside in Kuwait. The Public Union of Ukrainian-Kuwaiti Friendship was created in January 2012. The Friday school of Ukrainian language has been functioning at the Embassy since 2013.
Visa regime
Since August 1, 2020, the citizens of Kuwait enjoy a visa-free regime for entering Ukraine. The citizens of Ukraine have the possibility to get Kuwaiti visas upon arrival at the airport.
Diplomatic missions: Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait.