The United Arab Emirates have provided Ukraine with nearly 240,000 COVID-19 rapid tests.

The transfer took place during the meeting of the SBU Head Ivan Bakanov with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Ukraine Salem Ahmed Al-Kaabi.

“The UAE considers Ukraine as an important partner, so it will continue to support it in the fight against coronavirus infection,” said the Ambassador.

In his turn, Ivan Bakanov thanked the partners from the UAE and reminded that this is not the first time such assistance has been provided. These medical tests will be transferred to the regions of Ukraine. They will facilitate rapid detection of COVID-19 and appropriate response to changes in the epidemiological situation.

“We appreciate the partnership and friendly relations between our countries. I sincerely hope that close cooperation between Ukraine and the UAE will deepen for the benefit of our nations,” said Ivan Bakanov.

He also informed the Ambassador about the involvement of special services in the fight against coronavirus, especially in terms of counteracting and disseminating fakes in the first stage of quarantine restrictions.

We should remind that in April, on behalf of the President Volodymyr Zelensky, the SBU in cooperation with partners from the United Arab Emirates, as well as diplomats of both countries ensured the return of 113 Ukrainian citizens who could not leave the UAE earlier.

The flight also delivered the first consignment of humanitarian aid to Ukraine from the UAE with a total cargo of 10 tons in order to fight against the coronavirus. In particular, it comprised 15 thousand of medical gowns, 20 thousand of protective masks, 500 thousand of gloves, 30 thousand of protective footwear, 15 thousand of overalls, and 6 thousand liters of disinfectant.