Ukrainian foreign minister says he discussed keeping tension low with Iranian counterpart

Jerusalem Post/World NewsSybiha said on X that the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York was a follow-up to a telephone conversation the two held in July.Follow us on GoogleUkrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, September 23, 2026.(photo credit: Screenshot/X/@andrii_sybiha)SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 04:58Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday he discussed ways of keeping tension in check at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.Sybiha said on X that the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York was a follow-up to a telephone conversation the two held in July.In more ‌than 4-1/2 years of conflict with ​Russia, Ukraine has faced barrages of Iranian-designed ​drones. Kyiv has over that time developed technology to counter drone threats and ‌offered its assistance to Middle Eastern ​countries facing strikes by Tehran."Diplomacy is about direct conversation, even in challenging circumstances," Sybiha wrote."Our conversation focused on mutual steps to prevent further aggravation of tensions between our countries. We agreed to keep existing channels of communication open."Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, centre, at the Buergenstock resort in Obbuergen, near Lucerne, Switzerland, Sunday, June 20, 2026. (credit: Urs Flueeler/Pool via REUTERS)Conversation focused on 'various tracks' of peace effortsSybiha said the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and Europe "as well as various tracks of ongoing peace efforts.""I reiterated Ukraine's position in support of a sooner restoration of peace and stability in both our regions."The two men spoke in July after a Ukrainian drone strike on an Iranian ship which killed one sailor and injured another.Iran denounced the attack and threatened retaliation. Sybiha said then that he asked Araghchi to refrain from any escalatory steps and to end any support for Russia's war against Ukraine.Follow us on Google