On the eve of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, French Ambassador to Ukraine Gael Vecierre gathered Ukrainian athletes and para-athletes, as well as acting Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvei Bedny and presidents of the National Olympic Committee and the National Committee of Disabled People’s Sports Sushkevich at the French residence.
As the French Embassy in Ukraine notes on its Facebook page, since the beginning of the Russian aggression, Ukrainian athletes have been training in the most difficult conditions: under shelling, without electricity, with sirens dictating the rhythm of training, at sports bases affected by shelling, in exile. At least 450 Ukrainian athletes have lost their lives. But despite the military challenges, Ukrainians continue to fight, once again demonstrating their incomparable resilience and determination.
As part of its commitment to Ukraine and as the host country of the Games, France supports Ukrainian athletes in every possible way. In particular, the country has granted asylum to many of them and allocated EUR1 million for their training in France.
“I know that Ukrainian Olympians and Paralympians at the Games will be motivated by an extraordinary will to win – Will to Win is your aptly chosen slogan,” the Ambassador said, assuring that Ukrainian colors – yellow and blue – will be at the heart of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
On Monday, June 24, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Ukraine held a reception in honor of one of the most important holidays of the country – Statehood Day, which is celebrated annually on June 25 in memory of the country’s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
According to the Embassy’s press service, among the guests of the event were representatives of diplomatic missions of foreign states accredited in Ukraine, Ukrainian statesmen, members of the Slovenian community.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovenia to Ukraine Mateja Prevolšek made a welcoming speech, thanking all those present for showing attention to this important day and emphasized that Ukraine and Slovenia have a lot in common.
“Tiny in terms of territory and population Slovenia at first glance may not seem similar to Ukraine, except for a little bit of languages. If we go beyond the first impression and ideological, cultural or geographical surprises of one kind or another, we can easily recognize the similarities and, if I may say so, the sisterhood between our two countries,” she said.
The ambassador noted that against the backdrop of the changing balance of power in the 1980s, the people of Slovenia decided for independence and the beginning of new relations with their neighbors, other European countries and the world.
“It was not easy, we were attacked and bombed. Our military and diplomats managed to limit the aggression to 10 days. Especially important was the support we received,” emphasized Prevolszek.
The head of the diplomatic mission assured that Slovenia consistently supports Ukraine and its brave people in the fight against Russian aggression, and is a steadfast friend and partner of Ukraine.
“Slovenia’s independence celebration is a time to reiterate our commitment to help Ukraine not only defend itself, but also commit to a bright future in the EU and NATO family,” the diplomat concluded.
On June 27, Slovenian President Natasa Pirtz Musar is planning her visit to Kiev. During the visit, she will sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine.
On 11 December 1991, the Slovenian Assembly recognized Ukraine’s state independence. On the same day, Ukraine became one of the first European countries to recognize the state independence of the Republic of Slovenia. On March 10, 1992, Ukraine and Slovenia signed an agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Embassy of Slovenia in Kyiv was established in April 2004.
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Albania is planning to open its embassy in Kyiv in the near future, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after talks with his Albanian counterpart, Igli Hasani.
“During my first visit to friendly Albania, I met with Minister Igli Hasani. I thanked Albania for its strong support and solidarity with Ukraine. We identified ways to strengthen cooperation in the defense sector, paying special attention to artillery ammunition. Albania plans to open its embassy in Kyiv in the near future. I highly appreciate this decision, which will significantly strengthen our bilateral ties,” Kuleba wrote on social network X.
He also thanked Albania for its willingness to join the Core Group of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
In addition, the ministers noted effective cooperation within international organizations.
Albania intends to open an embassy in Ukraine – for the first time during the period of diplomatic relations between the countries, Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Djacka said on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries.
“Albania and Ukraine are part of the family of free democratic nations, the future of both is in the Euro-Atlantic family. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary (of diplomatic relations – IF-U) I am pleased to announce that Albania will expand its diplomatic presence in Kiev by opening an embassy in Ukraine,” she wrote on Twitter.
The foreign minister added that Ukraine’s heroic resistance is a fight for freedom and a rejection of a return to the tyranny from which both states emerged.
“That is why Albania will support Ukraine and its people as best it can until they are defeated in the illegal war of aggression by the Russian Federation,” Olta Djacka explained.
The minister stressed that she looks forward to working closely with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba to further develop and strengthen cooperation in the future.
The Embassy of Japan in Ukraine has officially resumed its work in Kyiv.
“We are back and ready to work together with Ukraine for the sake of victory! On Wednesday, October 5, the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine officially resumed work in Kyiv. Japan will further strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and Japan and help restore and rebuild Ukraine. Japan together with Ukraine!” the embassy said on its Twitter page on Wednesday.
It is emphasized that the consular section of the embassy is still closed.
The U.S. will fully resume the work of its embassy in Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.
“We will fully resume the work of the U.S. Embassy and fully resume the work of its staff,” Brink said at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.
