Despite Russia’s full-scale aggression, Ukraine will remain committed to productive and decisive leadership during its 2023 GUAM presidency.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba stated at the online Ministerial Council of the GUAM on Tuesday, December 20th.

“I am grateful to the Moldovan Chairmanship during this year and count on the support of the Ukrainian Chairmanship in 2023. Even defending against a full-scale Russian aggression, Ukraine is determined to take over a decisive and productive leadership in the GUAM next year”, - the Minister said.

Dmytro Kuleba outlined five priorities of Ukraine's Chairmanship. Among them are: the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the GUAM Member States; creation of new economic opportunities and development of trade between European and Asian markets; promotion of the free trade zone to its full functioning; cooperation with the European Commission regarding the GUAM Transport Corridor; simplification of customs procedures and introduction of a comprehensive approach to transportation documents within the GUAM Transport Corridor.

“We also count on the Member States support in depriving the Russian language of the GUAM official and working language status”, - he urged.

The Minister noted that all the GUAM States well know what war is, and Russia brings only occupation, destruction, destabilization and problems. He remarked that Russian troops are pretending to be “peacekeepers” on the territories of Moldova and Azerbaijan, but, actually, they are preventing the peaceful settlement and the restoration of justice and territorial integrity. He emphasized that Russia transformed the Black Sea, which was supposed to be a space of interaction and mutually beneficial development for the GUAM states, into a war zone.

He also offered to strengthen not only the economic, but also the security partnership within the GUAM, and urged to work together on the implementation of President Zelenskyy’s 10-point Peace Formula.

"All our countries are existentially interested in the victory of Ukraine. Other scenarios will carry a threat. Russia's appetites are not limited to Ukraine, and they would go further if they could. However, no one is interested in a new frozen conflict. Our countries well know what this means. It`s time to put an end the Russian imperialism. We must eliminate this threat not only for Ukraine, but also for the entire region and the world. Ukraine is able to do this with the steady support of our partners", - he concluded.