KYIV, Nov 6 – Ukraine and Brazil will soon sign agreements that expand cooperation in several strategic industries, including defense, nuclear power and space exploration, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Wednesday.

Zelenskiy and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, in a recent phone call, have agreed to meet to sign the agreements.

"I commend Jair Bolsonaro's intentions that our forthcoming meeting should end with the signing of bilateral documents,” Zelenskiy said. “Ukraine is pleased to cooperate with Brazil in agriculture, nuclear energy, space and military-defense spheres."

Ukraine and Brazil are both severely hit by an outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, which has delayed cooperation between the two, but the countries had continued dialog for the agreements.

"The need to increase bilateral trade was noted. The parties outlined the priority areas of cooperation between Ukraine and Brazil in the trade, economic and investment spheres, in particular on the implementation of joint projects," Zelenskiy’s press service said.

Zelensky and Bolsonaro discussed cooperation between the two countries in the military and technical, defense spheres. In this context, the sides noted the preparations for the Defense Industry Dialogue, which will allow for detailed examination of promising bilateral projects.

Particular attention was paid to plans for further cooperation in space exploration.

The presidents agreed to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and Brazil in countering the consequences of the second wave of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in particular, the issue of joint production of vaccines and medicines.

"Ukrainian pharmaceutical plants have the necessary modern facilities and are ready to work with Brazilian partners. This can become a new successful direction of our cooperation," Zelenskiy said. (om/ez)