Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced the main tasks for diplomats for the next year, in particular, negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU and preparations for the NATO summit.
“There are specific tasks for you and me for the next year. I will outline some of them that we have to implement to make next year a really winning year for all of us. So, the beginning of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Preparing for the planned NATO summit and ensuring concrete results of that summit for Ukraine, which we all know about,” Zelensky said at the Ukrainian ambassadors’ conference on Friday.
He noted that all ambassadors will be presented with updated defense and security needs, and called for constant work to ensure those needs are met.
“Ukrainian energy and our country’s needs to recover from Russian strikes, Fast Recovery Plan – please work as closely as possible with the government, with the Office, international organizations and partner states to ensure that all these arrangements are provided with concrete content and result,” the president said.
Zelensky also called for strong new sanctions packages against Russia for next year.
“The terrorist state must feel real pressure, and it is your actions – the actions of our diplomatic corps – that must be aimed at. Court for the crime of aggression and the responsibility of war criminals – work so that the countries of your stay support us,” the head of state stressed.
In addition, he noted the need to block Russian assets associated not only with state representatives, but also with Russian business supporting the war.
“All these funds will be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Do everything so that the countries where you work, help to build an appropriate compensatory effective mechanism,” he said.
Zelensky called on diplomats to facilitate the return of Ukrainians to their homeland so that all their rights and legitimate interests in host countries are satisfied.
