1. Recognition of Ukraine’s independence: The Republic of Singapore recognized Ukraine’s independence on January 2, 1992.
2. Diplomatic relations: Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Singapore were established on March 31, 1992.
In November 2020, H.E. Mdm Kateryna Zelenko was appointed the Ambassador of Ukraine to Singapore.
In April 2012, H.E. Mr. Simon Tensing de Cruz was appointed the non-resident Ambassador of Singapore to Ukraine (with residence in Singapore).
3. Political relations:
Ukraine and Singapore maintain active and friendly political dialogue. In recent years, the visits of the President of Ukraine, ministers of foreign affairs, defence, interior and justice, top officials of the National Bank of Ukraine and the anti-corruption agencies have taken place. In 2022, a dialogue was launched between the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine and the Parliament of the Republic of Singapore.
Relations between Ukraine and Singapore rest on mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation, constructive interaction on the bilateral level and within the international organizations as well as shared commitment to promote the rule of international law and address global challenges.
Ukraine is grateful to Singapore for its consistent unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, which was expressed in the public statements of the Singaporean officials as well as highlighted in Singapore’s voting in the UN and other international organizations.
In 2014 following Russia’s occupation of Crimea and the part of Donbass, then-Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong condemned an “unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country” and called upon observing the international law. In 2014, then-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore K Shanmugam and later his successor Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in 2017 both made statements in support of Ukraine.
In February 2022, following the launch of full-scale Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Government of Singapore not only strongly condemned Russian aggression, but also imposed unilateral sanctions. Since then, Singapore’s clear position is being reiterated by then-Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and his successor Lawrence Wong as well as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan and other officials.
On 15-16 June 2024, Singapore participated in the Summit on Peace for Ukraine hosted by Switzerland and endorsed Summit’s Joint Communiqué on a Peace Framework.
During 2022-2023, the Republic of Singapore provided 3 tranches of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, in particular to respond to the needs of Ukrainian medical and rescue services. Since 2022, Singapore has been one of the key donors providing humanitarian aid to the National Children's Specialized Hospital 'Okhmatdyt' and the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf. As of July 2024, the total amount of humanitarian aid provided by Singapore amounts to over 11.5 million US dollars.
4. Trade and economic cooperation:
Economic cooperation is an important area of bilateral relations.
Ukraine considers Singapore a key partner in Southeast Asia. As a result of cooperation between the Embassy of Ukraine in Singapore and the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, the following markets have been opened for Ukrainian animal origin food producers over the past 5 years: poultry and poultry products, halal poultry, ready-made poultry and pork products, foie gras, table eggs, and pet food.
Despite the significant geographical distance, trade between Ukraine and Singapore was steadily increasing in the pre-war period, and reached a maximum of USD 286 million in 2019 (USD 56 million in 2015). The COVID-19 and Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine affected bilateral trade and changed the structure of Ukrainian exports. However, the growth of Ukrainian exports in 2023 was notable (+103.3%) driven by such products as table eggs, barley and wheat, sunflower and rapeseed oils, and poultry.
Ukraine retains the potential to fully cover the food needs of Singapore through the exports of honey, pulses, vegetables, cereals (wheat and corn), cereals (grains), seeds and oilseeds (sunflower, soybeans), feed products, sunflower, soybean, and rapeseed oils, margarine, sugar, tomatoes, yeast, and potentially increase the share to the supplies of cheeses, poultry, chicken eggs, cucumbers, starch, confectionery, juices (fruit and vegetable), ice cream, water and beer, and tobacco products.
Singapore's investments in Ukraine amount to USD 279 million, which continue to operate during the war period.
5. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation:
Ukraine is becoming more and more known in Singapore due to a variety of cultural diplomacy and humanitarian events. Over the past three years, Singapore has been brought closer to:
6. Legal framework:
As of July 2024, there are 19 bilateral agreements and memorandums between Ukraine and Singapore.
7. Ukrainian community:
There are around 450 Ukrainians currently living in Singapore. In 2014, the Ukrainian Club in Singapore was created (officially registered in June 2015). Today, it unites dozens of Ukrainians leaving in the city-state.