Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and the UAE Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy to Ukraine, led a high-level UAE delegation on an official visit to Kyiv.
The visit aimed to advance business and investment ties, deepen economic co-operation, and expand humanitarian engagement, underscoring the UAE’s comprehensive approach to supporting Ukraine’s stability, recovery, and long-term development, Wam news agency reported on Saturday.
Ms Al Hashimy met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and conveyed the greetings of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed.
In recognition of the UAE’s contributions in supporting the Ukrainian people and its humanitarian collaborations, Mr Zelenskyy awarded Ms Al Hashimy the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, which is one of Ukraine’s highest civilian honours.
During the visit, Ms Al Hashimy held meetings with senior Ukrainian officials with discussions focusing on advancing co-operation in trade, investment, digital transformation, infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, and other strategic sectors, all supporting the ratification and implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, signed by the two countries in February.
Reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to regional stability and humanitarian diplomacy, Ms Al Hashimy highlighted the UAE’s continuing role in mediating captive exchanges between Ukraine and Russia, with 17 facilitations to date, resulting in the release of 4,641 captives from both sides. Ms Al Hashimy also emphasised the UAE’s continued focus on peacebuilding dialogue, and trust-building measures.
She also met with first lady Olena Zelenska and signed a $5 million partnership with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, aimed at supporting psychosocial recovery centres, safe schools programmes, and foster-family initiatives. Ms Al Hashimy also visited one of the UAE-supported foster family homes and met with children and families living in the house, illustrating the tangible impact and social value of these projects on the ground.
