On 17 April, 2026 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko took part in the ceremonial event of the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in Ukraine, “Navruz: A Symbol of Peace, Friendship and Mutual Respect,” held at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

The event began with a minute of silence, during which participants honoured the memory of civillians killed as a result of yet another wave of massive Russian terrorist attacks on Ukrainian cities. Russian Federation has been carrying out armed aggression against Ukraine for the past 12 years, with the civilians suffering from it on a daily basis.

In his address, Olexandr Mischenko congratulated the Tajik side, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and all participants on the occasion of Navruz – a holiday symbolising renewal, peace and good-neighbourly relations and constituting an integral part of the cultural heritage of the peoples of Central Asia.

The Deputy Minister emphasised that Ukraine attaches considerable importance to developing cooperation with the states of Central Asia, and the Republic of Tajikistan in particular. He noted that relations between Ukraine and Tajikistan are founded on the basis of mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and a shared commitment to further deepening the partnership.

Special attention was drawn to Ukraine’s consistent steps aimed at expanding engagement with the countries of the region, in particular the establishment of a special unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – the Central Asia Department, as well as the appointment of the Special Representative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in the region Central Asia.

Olexandr Mischenko expressed gratitude to the Republic of Tajikistan for its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine in face of Russia’s armed aggression.

In the context of the upcoming 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Tajikistan, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the further development of bilateral cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and mutual understanding.

Olexandr Mischenko also emphasised that the states of Central Asia remain important and promising partners of Ukraine in the political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian, and educational spheres.