The Republic of Croatia is a small Balkan country the size of Odesa and Vinnytsia regions with a population of almost 4 million people. Since 2013, the Croats have been a member of the EU. For many people, Croatia is primarily associated with tourism, thanks to its beautiful coastline and a large number of picturesque islands that are washed by the warm Adriatic Sea. However, if we fast-forward 30 years, we can see that Croatia was in similar circumstances like nowadays Ukraine – at war with a superior neighbour who decided to restore an empire over a contrived ethnic issue.

Croatia has been supporting Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale invasion of russia, providing significant aid and hosting many refugees. Croatia believes in Ukraine and will support it as long as it is needed.

The Republic of Croatia is helping Ukraine with demining. The countries signed a memorandum on 14 May 2024. The memorandum provides for: exchange of experience in the field of humanitarian demining; cooperation in the implementation of innovative projects in the field of explosive ordnance detection technologies and techniques; development of joint training programmes and initiatives to improve the skills of humanitarian demining specialists, etc.

The Croatian government has allocated $1.1 million to the UN World Food Programme to help Ukraine clear agricultural land of mines. The funds will be used to survey Ukrainian agricultural land for mines and other explosive devices, demining them and safely resume food production in rural communities.

Croatia presented Ukraine with DOC-ING MV-4 demining systems. DOC-ING produces robotic demining systems with remote control. Since the beginning of the war, it has handed over 42 such systems to various structures in Ukraine, which have cleared almost 12 million m2 of territory, defused more than 5,600 mines and other explosives without causing any casualties. More than 150 specialists in system management have been trained. The company will soon open an office in Ukraine.

Croatia announced a new military assistance package for Ukraine worth more than $30 million.  In total, the Balkan country has already provided more than $160 million in military aid to Ukraine. At the same time, Croatia has handed over all 14 of its MI-8 helicopters to our country.

The support of the Republic of Croatia continues in the military, technical, economic and humanitarian spheres. Ukrainian grain is exported in transit through Croatia to third countries. Most of it is sent to Italy, and some to North Africa.

The Favbet Foundation, together with the volunteer organisation Dobro Dobrim DoDo, brought over 220 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine from Croatia. The cargo includes essentials for residents of frontline regions, technological equipment for the Ukrainian military, disinfectants and medical supplies.

The Republic of Croatia is ready to provide further support to Ukraine, especially in preparation for the autumn-winter period. The Croatian government is considering participating in the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, supporting the families of energy workers affected by Russian aggression, and sharing its experience in the negotiation process on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

Croatia is interested in strengthening cooperation in the areas of demining, rescue equipment, and UAV production, and will facilitate agreements between Ukraine and Croatian private companies producing these products.

The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority for the two countries. An analysis of export and import operations of Dnipropetrovsk region with Croatia shows a growing level of partnership, as this country is an important trading partner of the region.

According to the results of 2023, the volume of exports of goods from Dnipropetrovsk region totalled $7.4 million and increased by 34.5% compared to the previous year. Among the goods in demand among Croatian consumers are sugar confectionery, ferrous metals and products made of them, other products made of non-precious metals, railway locomotive parts, etc.

Export operations were carried out by 23 companies from Dnipropetrovsk region. The main exporting companies are metallurgical enterprises, food, machine-building and processing companies.

TOP-5 exporting companies (ranked by export volume):

Imports of goods from Croatia to Dnipropetrovsk region totalled $10.4 million, down 16.8% compared to 2022. Traditionally, Dnipro region purchased pharmaceuticals, essential oils, machinery and equipment, oil and oil products, fertilisers, and other goods.

Import operations were carried out by 22 importer companies.

TOP-5 importer companies (ranked by volume of imported products):

Import operations were mainly carried out by pharmaceutical, trade, processing, and food companies.

Source: information for the article was taken from open online sources.