The Security Service of Ukraine by the order of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in cooperation with partners of the United Arab Emirats and diplomats of both countries ensured the return of 113 Ukrainians, who had not been able to leave the UAE earlier. The plane landed at Boryspil International Airport on April 10.

As the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Ivan Bakanov emphasized, this was realized due to close cooperation between the SBU, the UAE Supreme Council for National Security, the Embassy of UAE in Ukraine, the Diplomatic mission of Ukraine in Abu Dhabi and other state bodies of the countries. With the assistance of foreign colleagues, the charter flight also delivered the first batch of humanitarian aid to Ukraine from UAE with a total cargo of 10 tons to counteract the coronavirus infection COVID-19.

In particular, these include personal protective equipment: 15,000 medical gowns, 20,000 face masks, 500,000 gloves, 30,000 pairs of protective shoes, 15,000 overalls and 6,000 liters of disinfectant.

This aid is received without the involvement of budget funds of Ukraine. All protective equipment will be directed to Ukrainian hospitals and doctors.

Ivan Bakanov expressed gratitude to our partners form the United Arab Emirates and the Embassy of the UAE in Ukraine and emphasized that this is clear example of international cooperation in the situation when all countries are facing new global challenge.

“Though the United Arab Emirates is counteracting coronavirus in its own country, we found possibility to help Ukraine since Ukrainians have always been and are our close partners,”- the Ambassador of UAE in Ukraine Salem Ahmed Al-Kaabi noted.