On December 22, on the Day of Diplomatic Service Workers, solemn events were held at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine named after Hennadiy Udovenko with the participation of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and the heads of ministries and departments.

The President of Ukraine, the heads of parliament and the government addressed the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing gratitude to the diplomats for the results achieved this year for our state and outlining the priorities for further work.

As President Volodymyr Zelensky noted in his speech, Ukraine was able to unite the whole world around itself — those who value life, protect the independence of nations, and respect the system of international law. Ukraine has attracted partners to numerous programs of a social, humanitarian, and military nature, as well as sanctions.

The President called for continued hard work in this and other key areas to strengthen Ukraine, especially in terms of its own and joint production with partners of long-range drones, interceptor drones, and missiles for air defense systems. The Head of State noted: the specific task is to ensure that the financing of Ukrainian weapons production is sufficient for the next year.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the diplomats for their joint work for the sake of Ukraine and our defense in this war and presented them with state awards.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, particularly noted the successes on the parliamentary diplomacy track and outlined priority measures for the near future. He emphasized the importance of involving the parliaments of partner states in promoting key initiatives in support of Ukraine.

In her speech, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized the priority of further work with international partners to support Ukraine's economy during the war, energy sustainability, reconstruction, and the development of trade and investment.

The heads of parliament and government awarded employees of the diplomatic system with decorations of the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha held a separate meeting with employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister emphasized that during this very difficult year, diplomacy has overcome many challenges. Thanks to our soldiers, together with international partners, as well as with dignity and the feeling that Ukraine is a full-fledged participant in the most important processes that affect not only our future, but also form a new architecture of European security.

The Minister emphasized that the main priorities of Ukrainian diplomacy remain a dignified and sustainable peace and guaranteed security for our state and people, strengthening the army, increasing sanctions pressure on the aggressor, European and Euro-Atlantic integration, consular protection of our people in all corners of the world.

According to the Foreign Minister, a strong foreign policy is impossible without a stable internal system, so the Minister paid special attention to the conversation with colleagues about the internal changes this year and the further work of the diplomatic service. Andrii Sybiha separately noted the importance of the reform of the structure of the Foreign Ministry, which this year was brought into line with the realities of the war.

A special moment of the day was the presentation by the Head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andrii Pyshny, of a special commemorative NBU coin for the Day of Diplomatic Service Workers “Diplomacy on the Edge”.

The coin was prepared for this date as a sign of gratitude for the work of the Ukrainian diplomatic service. It contains important symbols, which the Head of the National Bank spoke about, from the olive branch, which symbolizes peace, to the triangle, which depicts diplomacy on the edge of events. The coin has been put into circulation since December 22, 2025.

As part of the communication between the Foreign Minister and the staff, the tradition of the Minister of Foreign Affairs presenting commemorative gifts with the symbols of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to young specialists on the occasion of their first diplomatic ranks and ranks of civil servants was also continued.

The Minister separately awarded the employees with departmental awards of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the ceremony, Andrii Sybiha, his wife Tetyana Sybiha, and the entire diplomatic team received the Bethlehem Flame of Peace, which was delivered to the Diplomatic Academy by the Plasts.

The Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to Plast for this light — a symbol of goodness and hope for peace and justice.

The First Deputy Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Minister Mariana Betsa, Deputies Olexandr Mishchenko and Yevhen Perebyinis, State Secretary Oleksandr Karasevich, Deputy Heads of the Presidential Office Ihor Brusylo and Ihor Zhovkva also took part in the event.

The Ukrainian diplomatic corps received special video messages on the occasion of the professional holiday from high-ranking foreign guests: President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste José Manuel Ramos-Horta, EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihai Popsoi, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Canada Anita Anand, Estonia Margus Tsakhkna and Ireland Helen McEntee.

The partners noted the dedication with which Ukrainian diplomacy protects Ukraine's interests in the international arena, assured of further support for our state in confronting Russian aggression and wished success to their Ukrainian colleagues.