Diplomatic relations between the two countries was established on 3 March 1992, and Malaysia was among the first countries to recognise the independence of Ukraine.[3][4] In 2003, Malaysian Prime MinisterMahathir Mohamad paid an official visit to meet the President of UkraineLeonid Kuchma.[3] Since the visit, the relations between these two countries focused on economic, scientific, military-technical and humanitarian aspects.[3] Ukraine praised Malaysia on its Islamic affairs administration and expressed interest in learning from Malaysia's experience in that regard.[5]
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Malaysia supported and voted in favor of the 11th Emergency Special Session (ESS) of the United Nations General Assembly, which demanded that Russia immediately end its military operations in Ukraine. In February 2023, Malaysia sent medical aid to Ukraine.[6]
In 2012, Ukraine's exports to Malaysia (estimated at U$236.6 million) included chemical and organic fertilisers and sunflower oil.
Malaysia's exports to Ukraine (around U$125.7 million) included palm oil, electrical machinery and equipment, video and audio equipment, rubber, boilers, industrial machinery and equipment, furniture, plastics and plastic products, cocoa, soaps and other washing preparations equipment.[8]
Trade has been affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The overall value of trade between Malaysia and Ukraine for the first 11 months of 2023 was US$374.8 million (RM1.76 billion), up 30% from 2022. The combined value of trade between the two nations in 2022 was US$90.68 million, 77.6% less than the US$405 million reported in 2021.[9]
Azanis Shahila Aman (8 October 2022). "Spillover effects of Russia-Ukraine conflict on Malaysia" . New Straits Times . Reached on 17 June 2023
https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/02/926571/malaysia-dukacita-perkembangan-di-ukraine Mohd Nasaruddin Parzi (24 February 2022). "Malaysia regrets the development in Ukraine" . Reached on 17 June 2023 .
