Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed decrees appointing Yuliya Fediv as Ukraine’s ambassador to the Republic of Filipina, Vyacheslav Yatsyuk as Ukraine’s ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, and Vasyl Gamyanin as Ukraine’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The corresponding decrees No. 874/2024, 873/2024 and 878/2024 of December 21 were published on the website of the head of the Ukrainian state on Saturday.
Before that, Zelensky dismissed Gamyanin from the post of Ukraine’s ambassador to Indonesia and from the post of Ukraine’s representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which he held part-time. The head of state also dismissed Ukraine’s ambassador to Rwanda Andriy Pravednik from his post.
Yatsyuk was Ukraine’s ambassador to Norway in 2016-22, was previously director of the Foreign Ministry’s political department, and headed a working group in the OSCE. Fediv was previously head of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation (UCF), and her candidacy for Ukraine’s minister of culture was under consideration.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will not continue to transit Russian gas.
“We will not continue the transit of Russian gas, we will not allow them to earn additional billions on our blood. Any country in the world that can get something cheap from Russia will eventually become dependent on the Russian Federation, whether tomorrow or in a month or a year. This is their policy. Therefore, we will not transit Russian gas,” Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday.
Zelenskyy noted that in a conversation with the Prime Minister of Slovakia, he said that if there is not Russian gas, but gas from another country, and there is no payment to Russia until the end of the war, Ukraine is ready to consider this option.
At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine would not allow additional earnings for Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received credentials from the newly appointed ambassadors of four countries in Ukraine: Greece – Panteles Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos, Albania – Ernal Filo, Japan – Masashi Nakagome and Egypt – Barakat Ali Elleiti.
According to the website of the Ukrainian head of state on Tuesday, during a meeting with the Greek ambassador Volodymyr Zelensky noted the high level of bilateral relations and thanked for defense support. The President spoke about the main needs in military assistance, primarily in air defense, artillery and armored vehicles.
In his conversation with the Ambassador of Albania, the President of Ukraine thanked the government and people of Albania for their constant support since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation
Separately, he noted that it is important to sign a bilateral security agreement as soon as possible. “We had consultations on the bilateral security agreement. We hope that with your help we will prepare the document for signing as soon as possible,” Zelensky said.
During the meeting with the Japanese ambassador, the President noted his country’s support for Ukraine and the development of the current bilateral cooperation, expressed readiness for further intensification of dialog at all levels, and discussed current challenges for Ukraine.
The head of state emphasized that it is important to strengthen cooperation with Japan in the security sphere on information exchange and ways of joint response to the participation of North Korean military in the war against Ukraine. “Today the situation with North Korea, its troops on the Russian side requires a response – we need Japan’s support,” Zelensky said.
In a conversation with the Egyptian ambassador, the President noted that Ukraine is interested in the activation of bilateral dialog, the early resumption of trade and economic cooperation, as well as the implementation of specific projects in the field of food security. The head of state also emphasized that it is important to involve Egypt in the promotion of the Formula World, in particular, joining the General Communiqué.
“Now we have defensive developments and are ready to develop in this direction. We have an initiative on food security “Grain from Ukraine” and we hope that Egypt will join this mission,” – said Zelensky.
During his visit to the United States, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Vietnam To Lam to discuss the development of bilateral relations, the increase in trade, and Vietnam’s participation in the post-war recovery of Ukraine.
“We talked about the development of bilateral relations and the increase in trade between our countries, particularly in the agricultural industry. Thank you for your humanitarian support and willingness to join Ukraine’s recovery after the war,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Wednesday.
During his working visit to New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb to discuss the situation on the battlefield, Ukraine’s defense needs, and international cooperation.
According to the press service of the Ukrainian president, “the meeting discussed Ukrainian-Finnish defense cooperation, specifically the joint production of drones and the exchange of experience in this area.”
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine needs air defense systems, including man-portable air defense systems. He also briefed his interlocutor on the current stage of implementation of the agreements reached during the NATO summit in Washington.
“Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that it is important for Ukraine to obtain permission from its partners and the means to strike deep into Russian territory,” the press service reports.
The parties also discussed what international efforts are needed to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine, as well as the role of the Global South in this process.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the United States.
“We are starting a visit to the United States. We are now flying to Pennsylvania. A special visit. Then New York, Washington,” he said in a video address on Sunday evening.
The Head of State emphasized that this fall it will be decided what will happen next in the Russian-Ukrainian war. “Together with our partners, we can strengthen our positions as necessary for our victory, our common victory, for a truly just peace,” he said.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine will present the Victory Plan in the United States, and President Joseph Biden will be the first to see it in full.
Zelenskyy also promised to present the Victory Plan to all the leaders of partner countries, “who, like President Biden, are leaders of the world and can become leaders of the world by helping us with the Victory Plan.”
“We will also present it to Congress – both parties – and to both presidential candidates in the United States. America has all the power it needs to work with Ukraine, with our allies and partners to deliver what we want most. We need peace. Exactly as envisioned by the Peace Formula. Exactly as envisaged by the UN Charter. We are doing everything for this,” the Head of State said.
“Weapons to protect our independence and our people. Diplomacy to consolidate partners and force Russia to peace. And justice so that Russia is responsible for this war and feels its consequences,” he added.
Zelensky also expressed gratitude to everyone who continues to help Ukraine. “I am grateful to every nation, to all the leaders who felt that much more is being decided in this war of Russia against Ukraine than the fate of our Ukrainian people alone,” he said.
Separately, Zelenskyy thanked the United States as a leader of support and every nation that has shown its independence and leadership to help Ukraine protect people and prevent Russia from “expanding this war.”
“When Ukraine defends itself, every other democratic nation will benefit. It is now being determined what will be the legacy of the current generation of state leaders. Those who are in the highest offices. In the coming days, I will be meeting with the leaders of the Global South, the G7, Europe, and international organizations – with many who help consolidate the world. Meetings with representatives of the United States are very important. Real peace and a real victory for Ukraine and international law is what we need,” the Ukrainian leader summarized.
