President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the Annual Meeting of the Heads of Ukraine’s Foreign Diplomatic Missions “From the Power of Diplomacy to the Diplomacy of Power,” where he outlined the main priorities for the work of Ukrainian diplomats.
According to the Head of State, these priorities include strengthening cooperation with partners in weapons production, especially drones; increasing pressure on Russia and utilizing Russian assets; opening negotiation clusters for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and continuing integration with NATO; increasing momentum in negotiations to end the war; and supporting Ukrainians abroad.
“The main task of Ukrainian diplomacy is to support everything that protects Ukrainian lives in Ukraine above all and everything that inflicts pain on Russia for this war. And each of you must deliver concrete results for the sake of our people, for the sake of Ukrainians,” the President emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that one of the key tasks is securing funding for the production of all types of drones.
“At the embassy level, this must be supported to the fullest. And you must also be active – politically, through the media, frankly, however you can – on the issue of air defenses for Ukraine. The world must know what is happening because of these despicable Russian strikes and how exactly life can be protected here. This must be the work not only of Kyiv but of all our embassies and all our representatives,” the Head of State said.
He stressed the importance of working on the use of Russian assets and turning the rulings won against Russia into the financial realm. In particular, the President called for supporting NJSC “Naftogaz” and its legal team, which are working on collecting funds from Russia and affiliated entities. The amount involved is USD 6.9 billion – this is the total sum of arbitration awards won against Russia and Gazprom.
“Overall, this should be one of your primary tasks – to advocate for the necessity of Russia fully paying for what it is doing against Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In addition, the Head of State pointed out the need to continue synchronizing sanctions. Ukraine enforces partners’ sanctions within its jurisdiction, and Ukrainian sanctions must be extended within partners’ jurisdictions. According to him, particular attention must be paid to the sanctions track in relations with the United States and implementing agreements reached with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding air defense, Ukrainian drones for America, economic cooperation, and investments.
The President emphasized that the entire legal architecture must function to hold Russia accountable for this war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to prepare a concrete list of steps for launching the Special Tribunal on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Next, the Head of State called for continuously enriching each of the partnership formats with substance.
According to him, this year the Government must ensure readiness regarding all negotiation clusters for Ukraine’s EU accession, and Ukrainian diplomats must continue working to ensure the European Union fulfils its promises.
Integration with NATO continues at the working level, which is why it is important to take all available steps at the political level.
Separately, the President called not to reduce activity in implementing bilateral security agreements, of which there are already 28.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stressed the need to intensify efforts in the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Arab world, and the Pacific region.
Another priority for Ukraine is increasing momentum in negotiations to end the war. According to the Head of State, a prisoner exchange with Russia is currently being prepared. NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov has proposed a new meeting of representatives with the Russian side in Türkiye.
“The agenda is clear for us – the return of prisoners, the return of children abducted by Russia, and preparation for the leaders’ meeting. I ask you to inform the countries of your posting about the necessity of exactly this negotiation approach, of exactly this agenda, and to ensure Ukraine receives the required political support,” the President said.
In addition, Ukraine’s embassies and consulates must assist Ukrainian citizens and communities to maintain their connection with their country.
“In particular for this purpose, a law on multiple citizenship was recently adopted, and we have begun its implementation. This is both a task and, I believe, a very significant historic achievement. We will gradually determine the countries where the corresponding procedures will be introduced,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Ukrainian diplomats for their work and presented them with state awards. In particular, the Order of Merit, I class, was awarded to the Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, Vsevolod Chentsov; the Orders of Merit, II class, to the First Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergiy Kyslytsya, and the Special Presidential Envoy for Cooperation with the United States, Olha Stefanishyna. The Orders of Merit, III class, were presented by the Head of State to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych, and to the Ambassador to the French Republic, Vadym Omelchenko. The Order of Princess Olga, I class, was awarded to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States, Oksana Markarova.
