Pakistan–Ukraine relations

Pakistan-Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Pakistan and Ukraine. Pakistan recognized Ukraine's independence in 1991. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established 1992. However, Pakistan and Ukraine relations were first established before the Ukrainian independence from Soviet Union. Since 2018, Pakistan-Ukraine relations moving from Conventional Diplomacy to Public Diplomacy.[1] In recent years, Pakistan had developed close economic and military ties with Ukraine. Pakistan also supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.[2]

Pakistani-Ukrainian relations

Pakistan
Ukraine

Pakistan has an embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has an embassy in Islamabad and honorary consulates in Karachi and Lahore. Ukraine and Pakistan have been cooperating with each other in educational sectors as well as cultural exchanges. Pakistan and Ukraine also heavily cooperate with each other in aerospace engineering, aerospace technologies, bio-medical sciences and science and technology.

In 2021, the bilateral trade turnover was US$411.814 million.[3]

Bilateral trade

The bilateral trade between the two countries started on 16 March 1992. In 2021, the volume of Pakistan-Ukraine trade turnover had reached US$411.814 million.[3]

Pakistan is also a major importer of Ukrainian wheat.[2]

Military ties

In the late 1990s, Ukraine sold Pakistan 320 Ukrainian T-80UD main battle tanks in a deal worth US$650 million. According to Kyiv Post, the deal literally saved Kharkiv Malyshev Tank Factory from bankruptcy.[4]

According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) databases, from 1991 to 2020, Ukraine completed arms contracts with Pakistan with a total value of nearly US$1.6 billion. During that period, Pakistan was described as the Ukraine's biggest arms customer right next to Russia, China, India, and Thailand.[4]

In December 2008, Pakistan signed an agreement with Ukraine to purchase four Il-78 refueling aircraft outfitted with Russian-designed UPAZ refueling pods. All of the purchased aircraft were delivered by 2012.[5]

In June 2020, Ukrspetsexport and Pakistani officials signed a multimillion dollar contract to upgrade one of Pakistan Air Force's Il-78 aerial refueling tanker aircraft.[6] The aircraft was modernised by Ukroboronprom’s Nikolaev Aircraft Repair Plant and was delivered back to Pakistan by 4 February 2022.[5] Ukrspetsexport called this event an important stage of cooperation with Pakistani partners.[7]

In February 2021, UkrOboronProm signed contract worth US$85.6 million with Pakistani officials to repair T-80UD main battle tanks of Pakistan army.[8] The newly signed contract was also a sign of relief for Malyshev Factory as the enterprise was suffering from debt worth US$67 million since the start of the year 2021.[4]

See also

References
  1. Shazia Anwer Cheema (11 April 2021). "Pakistan-Ukraine relations moving from Conventional Diplomacy to Public Diplomacy". Dispatch News Desk.
  2. Ayaz Gul (22 February 2022). "Pakistan's PM Urges Peaceful End to Ukraine Crisis Ahead of Visit to Russia". Voice of America.
  3. "Pak-Ukraine trade turnover registers significant increase". Business Recorder. 16 March 2021.
  4. Illia Ponomarenko (20 September 2021). "Ukraine-Pakistan arms trade is decent but can be better". Kyiv Post.
  5. YUSUF ÇETINER (4 February 2022). "Pakistan Receives Modernized IL-78 Refueling Tanker Aircraft From Ukraine". Overt Defence.
  6. "Ukraine to Upgrade Pakistan Air Force Il-78 Tanker Plane". Defense World. 4 June 2020.
  7. "In Ukraine, completed the repair of the Pakistani Air Force IL-78 aerial refueling tanker". mil.in.ua. 2 February 2022.
  8. Illia Ponomarenko (22 February 2021). "UkrOboronProm strikes $85.6 million deal with Pakistan". Kyiv Post.
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