Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held his first official telephone conversation with the newly inaugurated President of Chile, José Antonio Kast Rist. During the call, Zelenskyy congratulated his Chilean counterpart on assuming office. The Ukrainian head of state announced the details of this significant diplomatic engagement on Tuesday, April 21, on his official Telegram channel.
The dialogue marks a major milestone in Ukraine’s ongoing strategy to strengthen its ties with countries in the Global South, particularly in Latin America. “I spoke with President of Chile José Antonio Kast Rist for the first time and congratulated him on taking office,” Zelenskyy reported, emphasizing the growing diplomatic momentum between Kyiv and Santiago.
A substantial portion of the discussion was devoted to international law and humanitarian efforts. President Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude to Kast for Chile’s steadfast support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid Russian aggression. He also highly praised Chile’s decision to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The Ukrainian President voiced hope that high-ranking Chilean representatives would participate in a dedicated global summit addressing the plight of Ukrainian children, scheduled to take place in May.
Beyond humanitarian issues, the leaders explored robust avenues for bilateral economic and industrial cooperation. They discussed potential partnerships in the metallurgical industry, agricultural sector, and mineral exploration. Given that Chile is a global powerhouse in mining—particularly in copper and lithium—sharing technological expertise and attracting investment in resource extraction could become a transformative element of the bilateral relationship. Both nations possess significant strategic resources crucial for the global supply chain and green energy transition.
An intriguing development from the call was the discussion of long-term security commitments. Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine is prepared to establish comprehensive, long-term frameworks with Santiago. “Ukraine already has 10-year security agreements with three Middle Eastern countries, and we are ready for the same partnership with Chile,” the President noted. Both leaders agreed to instruct their respective teams to begin detailed consultations to outline the next practical steps.
This direct presidential contact follows a foundational diplomatic visit in March 2026, when Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha traveled to Santiago to attend President Kast’s inauguration. That visit—the first by a Ukrainian foreign minister to Chile in 13 years—set the stage for today’s high-level talks and underscored Kyiv’s commitment to Latin American diplomacy.
The political landscape in Chile shifted significantly in late 2025. José Antonio Kast, representing right-wing conservative forces, won the presidential election on December 14, 2025. In the runoff, he decisively defeated the Communist Party candidate, Jeannette Jara, securing 58% of the vote. His presidency signals a broader conservative shift in the region and presents a strategic opportunity for Ukraine to consolidate strong, value-based partnerships across Latin America.