18-1-2024 (DAVOS) In a significant meeting held at the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam for the first time. The encounter served as an opportunity for President Zelenskyy to personally extend his gratitude to Singapore for the humanitarian aid provided during the Ukraine crisis.
The meeting, captured in a photograph showing the leaders shaking hands, marked the beginning of what President Zelenskyy hopes will be a harmonious relationship between Ukraine, Singapore, and their neighboring countries. Reflecting on the support extended by Singapore, President Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided during the crisis.
Singapore’s contribution included the dispatch of 22 ambulances to Ukraine in 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a press statement on Singapore’s humanitarian aid efforts. Additionally, the Singapore Red Cross Society (SRCS) offered targeted aid to vulnerable groups in the region, particularly the Okhmatdyt hospital, Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital. Ambassador Kateryna Zelenko of Ukraine expressed her gratitude to the SRCS for their consistent and generous donations.
During the meeting, President Zelenskyy and President Tharman discussed potential collaborative ventures in various fields, including cybersecurity and agriculture. Notably, President Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s successful defense of free navigation in the Black Sea, a crucial factor in ensuring the country’s food security. Given Singapore’s limited land resources and dependence on food imports, food security remains a pressing concern for the city-state. Thus, the discussions aimed to foster diplomatic and economic ties that would mutually benefit both Ukraine and Singapore.
In addition to expressing gratitude, President Zelenskyy acknowledged Singapore’s support for sanctions and United Nations resolutions. These resolutions serve as a framework for global consensus and legitimacy in addressing the ongoing crisis. Furthermore, President Zelenskyy extended an invitation to Singapore to participate in the upcoming Peace Formula and Global Peace Summit, which aim to create a more stable and secure environment for Ukraine, including the restoration of its territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian troops.
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