On August 24, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. As in the previous year, Zelenskyy publicly thanked Mirziyoyev for the congratulatory message. In 2026, both presidents emphasized the further development of bilateral relations, while Zelenskyy specifically highlighted trade and economic ties.
Mirziyoyev’s congratulations
In his message to Zelenskyy, Mirziyoyev wrote that he sincerely congratulates the President of Ukraine and the people of the country on the 35th anniversary of independence and extends his best wishes.
“I am confident that, through our joint efforts, relations between our states, based on traditional bonds of friendship and the principles of mutual respect, will continue to develop consistently,” the President of Uzbekistan said in his message.
Mirziyoyev also wished Zelenskyy good health, family happiness, well-being, and success in his public service, and wished the Ukrainian people peace and prosperity.
Zelenskyy’s response
On August 25, Zelenskyy published a response on X.
“Grateful to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his warm congratulations on the 35th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence,” the Ukrainian president wrote.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine deeply values its traditional friendship with Uzbekistan and remains committed to expanding bilateral cooperation, trade, and economic ties.
The Ukrainian president also wished Mirziyoyev good health and success, and the people of Uzbekistan a peaceful and prosperous future.
Congratulations from Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry
Separately, on August 24, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated the Ukrainian people on Independence Day.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan extends its sincere congratulations to the friendly people of Ukraine on their Independence Day,” the ministry said in a statement.
Unlike Mirziyoyev’s message to Zelenskyy, the Foreign Ministry’s greeting was addressed specifically to the people of Ukraine and did not contain additional statements regarding the development of bilateral relations.
Thus, on Ukraine’s Independence Day, two official congratulations were issued from Uzbekistan: a personal message from President Mirziyoyev to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a separate greeting from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ukrainian people.
In 2025, Zelenskyy’s response emphasized Uzbekistan’s position on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian children. In 2026, those topics were absent from his reply; instead, he highlighted the expansion of cooperation, trade, and economic ties.
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