Zelensky Calls for Stronger Ukraine-Iraq Cooperation

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for stronger political dialogue and more practical cooperation with Iraq, sending separate National Day messages to Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and President Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amedi.

In a congratulatory letter to al-Zaidi released on Saturday, Zelensky pointed to the long-standing relationship between Ukraine and Iraq and said Kyiv wanted to preserve that foundation while giving bilateral cooperation fresh momentum.

"I count on intensifying our bilateral dialogue and filling it with concrete, practical results in the interests of both our states and peoples," Zelensky said.

The message placed particular emphasis on moving relations beyond established ties toward more active engagement capable of producing tangible outcomes for both countries.

Zelensky also wished the Iraqi prime minister good health and success in carrying out his state responsibilities, while extending wishes of peace, stability and prosperity to the Iraqi people.

A separate National Day message was sent to Iraqi President Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amedi.

In that letter, Zelensky said Ukraine values its relations with Iraq and wants to further develop political dialogue between the two countries.

The Ukrainian president framed that relationship around mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

"Ukraine values its relations with Iraq and is interested in further developing political dialogue based on mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and the principles of the UN Charter," the letter said.

Zelensky expressed confidence that more frequent contacts between Kyiv and Baghdad would strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation on issues where the two countries share common interests.

He wished Amedi good health and success in his duties and extended wishes of peace, prosperity and well-being to the Iraqi population.

Taken together, the two messages underline Kyiv's interest in maintaining an active relationship with Iraq at both the presidential and governmental levels.

The letter to al-Zaidi focused particularly on giving cooperation "new momentum" and generating practical results, while the message to Amedi stressed political dialogue, sovereignty, territorial integrity and closer contacts.

Neither statement identified particular economic, political or security agreements that the two governments are currently preparing, nor did the Ukrainian presidency announce new initiatives accompanying the National Day messages.

The greetings come as Iraq enters a new phase in its own security and foreign relations following the conclusion of the international Coalition's military mission on Sept. 30.

Baghdad has presented that transition as the beginning of a sovereignty-focused period in which Iraqi institutions assume primary responsibility for national security while maintaining bilateral relations with international partners.

For the Kurdistan Region, the same transition has placed renewed attention on continued international partnerships, coordination between Iraqi federal forces and the Peshmerga, air defense and the need to prevent ISIS remnants from exploiting security gaps.

Zelensky's National Day messages did not address those security questions directly.

Instead, they focused on the broader diplomatic relationship between Kyiv and Baghdad, with the Ukrainian president signaling that his government wants existing ties to develop through more frequent political contacts and cooperation producing concrete results for both countries.