Ukrainian — Turkish Cooperation In Humanitarian Area between 1991–2021

Ukraine and Türkiye are neighboring countries with a long history of relations and partnership, extensive social communication, and mutual interest in regional and global stability. The trust between the two nations is significantly shaped by the increase in humanitarian contacts, which positively influences the development of political dialogue and bilateral cooperation in other areas. This research paper examines Turkish-Ukrainian relations in the humanitarian area between 1991 and 2021 from a historical perspective. The authors highlight key areas of cooperation, including education, culture, tourism, and social projects supporting Turkic-speaking national communities in Ukraine by the Turkish side, as well as the activities of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities in Türkiye. Special attention is given to the Crimean Tatar factor in the humanitarian cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine. The role of institutions such as the Yunus Emre Institute, the Turkish Agency for the Cooperation and Development (TIKA), and non-governmental organizations like the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people is considered, along with the contributions of academic representatives in implementing humanitarian policies. The research methodology is based on the study of primary and secondary sources. The authors employed a chronological approach and comparative analysis. The aim of the paper is to analyze the dynamics, intensity, and results of Turkish-Ukrainian relations in the humanitarian area, to determine the main directions of these relations and the forms of their realization, and to identify the most influential entities in the formation and implementation of bilateral cooperation. The imbalance in Turkish-Ukrainian cooperation in the humanitarian area was identified. Bilateral cooperation in education, culture, and the humanitarian support of Turkic-speaking national minorities is characterized by more significant activity from the Turkish side than the Ukrainian one, and this imbalance should be addressed. The Ukrainian side should be more proactive in developing cooperation tools and intensifying its efforts. The present investigation resulted in several recommendations for improving cooperation between Türkiye and Ukraine in the humanitarian area.