On 2 April 2026, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko paid a working visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan, where he held bilateral consultations with his Uzbek counterpart, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bahromjon Aloyev.

During the negotiations, special attention was paid to giving fresh impetus to trade and economic cooperation. The parties agreed on reinvigorating the work of the Joint Commission on Comprehensive Cooperation, updating the legal and treaty framework, and developing alternative transport and logistics routes, including through the use of the potential of the Trans-Caspian (Middle) Corridor.

The parties also reaffirmed their interest in expanding cooperation in higher education, resuming academic exchanges and developing joint research projects, as well as intensifying interregional contacts, including in the sister cities format.

Olexandr Mischenko expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan’s principled position in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, informed the Uzbek side about Ukraine’s efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace, and thanked Uzbekistan for its consistent support for Ukraine, including during voting in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Special note was made of Uzbekistan’s humanitarian assistance, including the Uzbek side’s readiness to host more than 100 Ukrainian children for rehabilitation in 2026.

The Ukrainian diplomat reaffirmed the invitation to the Uzbek side to participate in the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place in June 2026 in Gdańsk, Republic of Poland.

During the visit, Olexandr Mischenko also met with Deputy Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Alisher Aliyev. Together with the Special Representative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for Central Asia, Ambassador of Ukraine to Kazakhstan Victor Mayko, and representatives of the Ukrainian business mission currently working in Tashkent, the parties discussed prospects for the development of bilateral trade and the implementation of joint projects in priority sectors, as well as issues related to ensuring stable supply logistics in the face of current geopolitical challenges.

The Deputy Minister also catched-up with the heads of diplomatic missions of the Gulf states accredited in Tashkent to discuss the security situation in the region.

An important part of the visit was the joint commemoration of Taras Shevchenko with the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities of Uzbekistan, including a flower-laying ceremony at his monument in Tashkent. Following the ceremony, a meeting was held with community representatives, during which current needs of compatriots were discussed, in particular support for the Ukrainian Sunday School in Tashkent and issues related to preserving national identity. Olexandr Mischenko also noted separately the significant contribution of volunteers to supporting Ukraine amid the Russian Federation’s ongoing armed aggression, expressing gratitude for their dedication and practical assistance.

The visit concluded with a briefing by Deputy Minister Olexandr Mischenko for representatives of Uzbekistan’s leading media outlets.

The visit demonstrated the mutual interest of the parties in the further development of political dialogue, the expansion of economic cooperation, and the strengthening of humanitarian ties between Ukraine and the Republic of Uzbekistan.