1. Recognition of Ukraine’s Independence: December 31, 1991
2. Establishment of diplomatic relations: March 3, 1992
3. Political relations
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Malaysia bilateral cooperation has always been built on the principles of mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty. After the Russian aggression and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014, intensity of bilateral contacts grew significantly. There was positive dynamics in exchanges. Effective cooperation was established within the framework of international organizations.
Key bilateral contacts:
December 2002 – the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia to Ukraine.
13-16.07.2003 – official visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia to Ukraine.
26.01.2007 – meeting of the Prime Minister of Ukraine with the Prime Minister of Malaysia within the framework of the World Economic Forum (Davos).
24.01.2008 – meeting of the President of Ukraine with the Prime Minister of Malaysia within the framework of the World Economic Forum (Davos).
05.12.2012 – meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Malaysia within the framework of the International Conference on Afghanistan (Bonn, Germany).
21-23.07.2014 – working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia to Ukraine.
8-10.09.2014 – working visit of the Minister of Defence of Malaysia to Ukraine.
25.09.2014 – meeting of the Prime Minister of Ukraine with the Prime Minister of Malaysia within the framework of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly (New York).
In the third decade of July 2014, as well as on 17.07.2015, telephone conversations took place between the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
29.09.2015 – the meeting of the President of Ukraine with the Prime Minister of Malaysia within the framework of the meeting of the leaders of the participating states of the Joint Investigative Group investigating the crash of flight MH17 of "Malaysia Airlines" (New York).
29.09.2015 – the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Malaysia within the framework of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly and the Joint Investigative Group investigating the plane crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 (New York).
03-05.08.2016 – official visit of the President of Ukraine to Malaysia.
04.08.2016 – meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (as part of the visit of the President of Ukraine).
20.09.2016 – the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Malaysia as part of the Joint Investigative Group investigating the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 (New York).
20.09.2017 – the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Malaysia within the framework of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (New York) with the aim of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Australia, the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Government of Malaysia, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Government of Ukraine regarding political support for the criminal prosecution of those responsible for the shooting down of flight MH17 on 17.07.2014.
24.09.2019 – the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Malaysia within the framework of the work of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (New York) and the Joint Investigative Group investigating the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.
On 29.10.2019, the first round of political consultations was held in Malaysia at the level of the leadership of the foreign ministries of the two countries (the Ukrainian delegation was headed by Deputy Minister S. Kyslitsa, the Malaysian delegation - by Secretary General Dato' Muhammad Shahrul Ikram bin Yakob).
On 30.10.2019 the parliamentary friendship group of the Verkhovna Rada (the Parliament) of Ukraine with Malaysia was formed.
On 7.03.2023 a decision was made to establish the Malaysia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, with Mr. William Leong Jee Keen appointed as its chairman.
4. Trade and economic cooperation
The beginning of the military aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine on February 24, 2022 caused a significant decrease in bilateral trade between Ukraine and Malaysia, which had shown positive dynamics in the previous six years in a row.
According to the State Customs Service of Ukraine, during 2022 the total volume of trade in goods between the countries decreased by 77.6% compared to 2021 and amounted to USD 90.68 million (2021 - USD 405 million), while the export of Ukrainian goods to Malaysia decreased by 66.1% to USD 45.26 million (2021 - USD 132.48 million), import decreased by 83.33% and amounted to USD 45.42 million (2021 - USD 272.52 million). The negative balance of foreign trade operations for Ukraine amounted to USD 162.94 thousand (2021 - USD 140 million).
According to the data from the State Customs Service of Ukraine, during the January-November 2023 period, the total volume of trade in goods between Ukraine and Malaysia amounted to 374.779 million US dollars, while the export of Ukrainian goods to Malaysia amounted to USD 115.246 million, and imports to Ukraine from Malaysia amounted to 259.533 million US dollars.
The trade balance for this period was negative, reaching 144.287 million US dollars.
5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation
Numerous events are held to involve the Ukrainian community in Malaysia into activities devoted to the history and culture of Ukraine.
On 10.02.2017 the Ukrainian Cultural Association (UСA) was officially registered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Malaysia. According to the Statute, the main goal of the Association is to unite Ukrainians living in Malaysia and to promote the interests of Ukraine in the cultural and humanitarian fields.
Tourism is an important segment of Ukrainian-Malaysian relations. In the pre-pandemic period about 15,000 Ukrainians visited Malaysia annually.
6. Legal framework
The legal framework of Ukraine and Malaysia cooperation is at the stage of developing. The number of valid bilateral documents is 9.
7. Ukrainian community
The Ukrainian community in Malaysia is relatively small. According to unofficial data, about 250 Ukrainians live in Malaysia, mainly in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
The interests of the Ukrainian community in the cultural and humanitarian sphere are promoted, in particular, through the public organization "Ukrainian Cultural Association".
8. Diplomatic representation
Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia
Honorary Consulates:
Contacts: phone: +60 4 263 1111, E-mail: [email protected], Address: 8, Green Hall, Georgetown, Penang, 10200.