On Wednesday, 29 April, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha held an online coordination meeting with the heads of Ukraine's foreign diplomatic institutions. The Minister set clear tasks for the Ukrainian diplomatic corps in accordance with the priorities determined by the President of Ukraine.
"Following the elections in Hungary, we observe a fundamental change in balances and a decrease in the blocking influence of the RF in Europe. This opens new opportunities for making strategically important decisions. We aim to open all six negotiation clusters as soon as possible. The temporal priority is the Cyprus Presidency of the EU. And during the Irish Presidency, we aim to have already closed certain negotiation chapters," he noted.
The Head of the MFA emphasized that Ukraine is ready for this work at maximum speed and added that Ukrainian diplomats are working in all capitals to ensure the necessary consensus.
"It is time to prepare and agree upon the 21st sanctions package as quickly as possible, which must be as stinging as possible for the aggressor. Critically important is the entry ban for citizens of the RF — participants in the Russian aggression against Ukraine and their family members — both to the EU and to the broader Euro-Atlantic space and G7 states," the Minister remarked.
Andrii Sybiha stressed that such a decision would have a significant impact on Russian society, particularly on mobilization processes in the RF.
"Every Russian who signs a contract must know that they are simultaneously imposing on themselves and their relatives an entry ban to a significant part of the world. This will have a perceptible psychological effect. Ukraine is ready to provide all necessary data and lists," noted the Minister.
The Head of the MFA also emphasized the importance of ensuring new contributions to PURL, the thorough implementation of prior agreements, maximum strengthening of protection and readiness of energy facilities for the next winter period, involving a coalition of partners to counter ballistic threats, additional investments to scale up the Ukrainian defense industry, further development of the network of drone and security partnerships, implementation of the 'drone deal' initiative, development of joint production, and other priorities.
"Ukraine today is a reliable and strong security partner, and this strength must be converted into advantages for our citizens, economy, and national interests", stated the head of the Ukrainian diplomatic service.
Andrii Sybiha also noted that Ukraine will continue to counter the RF's shadow 'grain fleet' and Russia's attempts to sell grain from the temporarily occupied territories. The Minister emphasized that this is not about individual countries, but about a principled position.
"We will prosecute all those involved in these crimes in all jurisdictions. The world must understand that the Ukrainian people survived genocide through hunger, deprivation, and abduction of food. That is why our reaction to attempts to steal and sell our grain will be resolute, strong, and uncompromising. We know the vessels, ports, owners, operators, captains, schemes of turning off transponders, coordinate falsification, ship-to-ship transfers, and other components of these crimes. We will initiate the strengthening of sanctions in all jurisdictions, particularly in the EU and G7," he emphasized.
The meeting participants coordinated preparations for key international events and negotiations, including those with the participation of the President of Ukraine, in the second quarter.
"Our state is at war, so no events can be merely protocol. All of them must yield concrete decisions and steps to strengthen Ukraine's positions and increase pressure on the aggressor with the aim of forcing Russia to end the war," the Minister stressed.
Andrii Sybiha thanked the Ukrainian ambassadors for their persistent work and tangible results for our state, its victory, and the restoration of a just and sustainable peace.