On 30 May 2026, a meeting took place between the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Ukraine in Turkmenistan, Petro Makarenko, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Ahmet Gurbanov, on the occasion of the completion of the tenure of the Head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Ashgabat.

The parties discussed current issues of Ukrainian-Turkmen cooperation, prospects for the development of bilateral relations, and interaction within international organizations. The sides noted the intensification of political dialogue following the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries held on 18 April 2026 on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, as well as the recent substantive visit to Turkmenistan of the Special Representative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in the Central Asian region, Viktor Maiko.

With the aim of maintaining the positive dynamics of the Ukrainian-Turkmen dialogue, the interlocutors discussed the schedule of bilateral contacts for 2026.

The meeting also focused on the development of transport, logistics, and economic cooperation, humanitarian and educational initiatives, as well as the participation of Ukrainian companies in the implementation of nationally significant projects in Turkmenistan. Petro Makarenko expressed gratitude to the Turkmen side for facilitating the participation of Ukrainian companies in the first “EU–Turkmenistan” Business Forum, held in Ashgabat on 26 March 2026. Ahmet Gurbanov emphasized that the Turkmen side views Ukrainian companies as reliable partners and is interested in expanding cooperation.

The Head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission positively noted the opening of the Ukrainian bookshelf at the State Library of Turkmenistan, the holding of the Ukrainian Film Week in Ashgabat, consultations between higher education institutions, as well as exhibitions of paintings by renowned Ukrainian artists in Turkmenistan.

Petro Makarenko expressed gratitude to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan for the humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine, support for Ukraine’s candidacies to governing bodies within international organizations, as well as for constructive cooperation and support for mutually beneficial initiatives.

The parties reaffirmed their interest in the further development of constructive bilateral cooperation.