PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced his intention to establish diplomatic relations with Ukraine in a telephone meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at 4 pm on Tuesday, 1 November 2022.

During the call, Prime Minister Hun Sen requested that the two countries appoint and exchange Ambassadors with each other, to which President Zelenskyy responded to very positively.

Prime Minister Hun Sen also expressed his condolences over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the recent attacks on Kyiv and other cities in the country, which have resulted in many deaths and injuries, caused severe damage to civilian infrastructure, power outages and water shortages and severe energy and food crises around the world, along with rising global inflation.

The Prime Minister emphasized that no war can be ended by war, and said he hopes all parties concerned will work toward comprehensive peaceful negotiation and resolution to end the war, so that Ukraine can regain peace, stability, territorial integrity, and development.

Prime Minister Hun Sen also reaffirmed Cambodia's position on the war in Ukraine, stating that Cambodia adheres to the principles set out in the UN Charter and international law. Cambodia is staunchly against aggression, threats, and force used to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of any independent state, and does not support the separation of states or the annexation of territory by other countries.