President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainian diplomats on the Day of the Diplomatic Service of Ukraine and outlined Ukrainian foreign policy goals for 2024.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy named the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense as the primary defense result in 2023 and a top priority in 2024. According to President Zelenskyy, the work on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula was the main strategic result for Ukraine in 2023, while “the rapprochement with NATO on the platform of the NATO-Ukraine Council and the creation of a new security commitments architecture under the Vilnius Declaration of the G7” was also an essential achievement for Ukraine in 2023.
At the same time, Ukraine’s President emphasized that to win, Ukraine would need more weapons to repel the Russian invasion and liberate occupied territories. Zelenskyy called on Ukrainian diplomats to facilitate deeper military and technical assistance to Ukraine from its allies.
“We need more weapons because no one is going to give up. Ukraine will win,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
President Zelenskyy said active cooperation with the European Union should continue, and sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine should be constantly strengthened. Zelenskyy also noted the importance of working with partners to find, freeze, and confiscate Russian assets in favor of Ukraine.
“It is fair for the assets of the aggressor state [Russia – ed.] to work for protection against the aggressor state, and your task is to ensure the world’s readiness to back this up. As it has been throughout all these months with these 12 powerful packages,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainian diplomats.
Ukraine’s President drew attention to the development and increase in the number of long-term support programs for Ukraine, which is “one of the keys to the stability of Ukraine in times of war.”
Zelenskyy also emphasized the development of domestic production of weapons, shells, military equipment, and air defense in Ukraine and called on Ukrainian diplomats to enhance relevant cooperation with foreign partners.
According to President Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s integration into NATO and the EU should deepen at various levels.
“As for NATO, it is not easy. And we need a key to the decision on the Alliance for Ukraine. And this key should be sought not only in high political offices. We need to convince societies, just as we were able to do at the very beginning of the war, to unite around Ukraine. We need to win people’s hearts,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of ensuring continued maritime exports and the implementation of the humanitarian program “Grain from Ukraine”, as well as developing cooperation with Latin America, Africa, Arab and Asian countries in general.
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