On April 21, Mariana Betsa, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, took part in a discussion titled “Ukrainian Society 2026: Demographics, Migration, and the Labor Market,” which was held as part of the LB.ua project “New Country”.

The Deputy Minister briefed the audience on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine’s approaches to cooperation with the global Ukrainian community.

“Due to Russian aggression, millions of Ukrainians are abroad, but wherever Ukrainian citizens may be, they are part of our people, and we must maintain contact with them”, Mariana Betsa emphasized.

The diplomat noted that the key priorities of the MFA of Ukraine are protecting the rights and interests of Ukrainian citizens abroad, ensuring their access to high-quality and modern consular services, preserving the national identity of Ukrainians, strengthening cooperation with the global Ukrainian diaspora to counter Russian aggression and bring about a just peace in Ukraine, and engaging Ukrainians abroad in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Mariana Betsa emphasized that the MFA is consistently expanding its consular presence abroad, modernizing and digitizing consular services, and simplifying access to documentation (e-Consul, digital notary services, connecting all overseas diplomatic missions to the State Register of Civil Status Acts), and is responding to the current needs of Ukrainians.

The parties paid special attention to supporting Ukrainian children who, due to Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, have been forced to stay abroad, in particular, they discussed ensuring their right to education in the Ukrainian language, study Ukrainian studies, and maintain ties with the Ukrainian educational community.

The Deputy Minister also emphasized that the assimilation of Ukrainians abroad is occurring at a rapid pace, so the state must ensure they maintain a full connection with Ukraine by implementing and protecting their rights.

“Our task today is not simply to talk about support, but to find systemic solutions that will allow us to preserve national identity, strengthen cooperation, and engage Ukrainians abroad in advocating for Ukraine and rebuilding the state, as well as to create a sound motivation for the return to Ukraine of all those who were forced to leave as a result of the war. We proceed from the premise that Ukrainians abroad are strategic partners of Ukraine”, Mariana Betsa emphasized.

The diplomat also noted that the institution of multiple citizenship introduced this year is an important step toward Ukrainians abroad, which will help preserve national identity and strengthen ties with the homeland.

Mariana Betsa stressed that cooperation and strengthening ties with Ukrainians abroad remain a constant priority for the MFA, especially in the context of countering Russia’s unprovoked aggression in all its forms.

The Deputy Minister noted that Ukrainians around the world are already providing significant support to the state through volunteerism, investments, and international advocacy, while Ukraine, in turn, is consistently developing systematic coordination with the global Ukrainian diaspora, particularly through the Diaspora Alliance for Recovery of Ukraine platform.