Ukraine's ambassador to Iraq marks Kyiv's independence anniversary with message to Iraqi public

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Ukraine's ambassador to Iraq marked his country's 35th independence anniversary on August 24, affirming that Ukraine has not pursued territorial claims against its neighbors since gaining independence through a 1991 referendum and has instead focused on building a sovereign state within its borders. In a statement, the ambassador said Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 stemmed from a rejection of the Ukrainian people's right to their own state rather than a regional dispute. He described the war as a test for the universality of international law and the principle of sovereignty beyond Ukraine's borders, adding that lasting peace must rest on respect for the UN Charter and territorial integrity. The ambassador noted that diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Iraq, established in 1992, have built longstanding ties in education, health and business. A library section dedicated to Ukrainian literature and history was opened in June at the National Library of Baghdad, which he described as a new step in bilateral cultural cooperation. Concluding the message, the ambassador said independence means preserving a language, choosing one's own government and shaping the future for one's children. He framed the Middle East as a region of equal partners and called for solidarity.