Ukraine expressed on Friday (July 31st) a " cautious optimism " in the negotiations underway with Iran to obtain compensation after the destruction of a Ukrainian airliner in early January over Tehran. Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down on January 8 by two missiles, shortly after taking off from the main airport in the Iranian capital, amid rising tensions between Washington and Iran.
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The Iranian Civil Aviation Authority claimed that the improper adjustment of an anti-aircraft unit radar was the main " human error " behind the disaster which claimed the lives of 176 people.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kouleba said on Friday to show " cautious optimism " after 11 am negotiations with an Iranian delegation, completed Thursday evening in Kiev. + " In general, they have been constructive, " he added during an online press conference.
The two countries have agreed to conduct a " transparent and impartial " investigation to shed light on the tragedy, said Dmytro Kouleba. According to him, however, it is still too early to discuss the amounts of possible financial compensation. " If the negotiations are not successful, we will of course go to international courts ," warned the Ukrainian minister.
Earlier in the week, Dmytro Kouleba had said he hoped to obtain the greatest possible financial compensation in order to alleviate " the pain and mourning " of the relatives of the victims.
