Kurdistan24 Interview with Ukrainian Ambassador to Iraq Ivan Dovhanych

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Ukrainian Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq Ivan Dovhanych confirmed that Kyiv is advancing procedural steps to establish a diplomatic consulate in Erbil to bolster bilateral relations and economic integration, while concurrently marking the fourth anniversary of the conflict with Russia by reiterating demands for a comprehensive settlement secured by enforceable security guarantees.

You can read the full transcript of the interview below:

Kurdistan24: After four years of war, what does Ukraine hope for today?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: Ukraine hopes for a just peace. Not a ceasefire, not a frozen conflict — but a genuine, lasting peace built on the rule of law, not the rule of force. We hope the world will not grow weary of the truth. That the aggressor will be held accountable, and the victim protected. Four years of war have not broken us — they have steeled our resolve and deepened our conviction that Ukraine will prevail. Because people fighting for their own land and their own dignity will always, in the end, win.

Kurdistan24: Is Ukraine ready for peace now, and what are the main obstacles preventing it?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: Ukraine was ready for peace from the very first day — it was Russia that chose war. We are ready for peace today as well. But peace requires two willing parties. The main obstacle is singular and clear: Moscow has never abandoned its strategic goal — to destroy Ukraine as a sovereign state. As long as Russia uses negotiations merely as a tactical pause to regroup its forces, genuine peace remains out of reach. Peace begins with acknowledging reality: Ukraine exists, Ukraine will not surrender, and borders are not redrawn at gunpoint.

Kurdistan24: Would Ukraine accept territorial concessions in exchange for peace?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: This is a question easily asked from the outside — and unbearably painful to hear for those whose cities lie in ruins, whose loved ones have been killed, whose homes are under occupation. Ukraine's official position is unwavering: we do not recognize any occupation as legitimate. At the same time, President Zelensky has made clear that the diplomatic path is not closed. But any settlement must include real, enforceable security guarantees — so that five years from now, we are not forced to pay the same price all over again. Without genuine security guarantees, even the best agreement is merely a postponement of the next war.

Kurdistan24: After four years of war, what has Ukraine lost, and what has it gained?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: The losses are immeasurable and irreversible. Tens of thousands killed. Millions displaced. Cities reduced to rubble, infrastructure destroyed, an entire generation robbed of its childhood. No statistics can capture that.

But Ukraine has also gained — and this must be said plainly. We have built one of the most battle-experienced armies in the world. We have achieved a national unity we had not known for decades. We have developed our own defense industry. And we have earned something that cannot be bought or given — the world's respect for a people who refused to kneel.

Kurdistan24: What are the most important lessons Ukraine has learned from this war?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: The first lesson: security cannot be delegated to others. A country that relies solely on the guarantees of others remains vulnerable. The second: democracy must know how to defend itself — with weapons, with intelligence, and with will. The third: the information war is as lethal as the missile war. And the fourth — perhaps the most important of all: people who know what they are fighting for are undefeatable. We are fighting for the right to exist. There is no stronger motivation than that.

Kurdistan24: How would you describe Ukraine's current relations with the Kurdistan Region?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: With genuine warmth and deep respect. The Kurdish people know what it means to fight for survival, for identity, for the right to be oneself. That shared memory of suffering and resilience forms the human foundation of our closeness. Erbil has become an important trade hub for us. Ukrainian goods are well known and well regarded in the Kurdish market. We are committed to developing this relationship further — within the framework of a united, sovereign Republic of Iraq, whose territorial integrity Ukraine respects unconditionally.

Kurdistan24: When will Ukraine reopen its consulate in Erbil, and what caused the delay?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: The opening of a consulate in Erbil is a priority for Ukraine, and a decision has already been made at the Ukrainian government level. We are currently going through the formal approval process with Baghdad. From what I can observe, the delay is largely procedural and bureaucratic in nature — these things take time. I hope that with the formation of the new Iraqi government, this process will move more swiftly. And I genuinely hope that I will soon have the honour of personally attending the opening ceremony of the General Consulate of Ukraine in Erbil - I believe we are moving closer to the final stage of this process.

Kurdistan24: What is the current volume of trade between Ukraine and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: Trade and economic cooperation is one of the Embassy's central priorities — because in this area, our two countries have enormous untapped potential. Regrettably, the war has seriously disrupted its realization. In 2021, bilateral trade between Ukraine and Iraq reached nearly USD 700 million. Following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, that figure dropped sharply to USD 293 million.

But Ukraine's economy is resilient and powerful. It has adapted to wartime conditions — and the results are now visible. In 2025, bilateral trade reached USD 392.8 million, representing growth of almost 30% compared to 2024. That is a remarkable trajectory for a country at war.

The Kurdistan Region plays a significant role in this recovery — as a reliable trading partner and as a proven gateway for Ukrainian goods entering the broader Iraqi market. Our main export categories include sunflower oil, food products, confectionery, and metals. We are steadily moving forward — and we believe the best is still ahead.

Kurdistan24: How many Ukrainian citizens are currently living in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region?

Amb. Ivan Dovhanych: There are approximately up to 1,000 Ukrainian citizens residing in Iraq in total. Of these, 219 adult citizens live in the Kurdistan Region specifically. Our Embassy maintains regular contact with all of them and is prepared to provide every necessary consular service. In wartime, every Ukrainian citizen abroad is under our particular care and attention.