“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Needs Fresh Blood” and Radical Changes in Embassies: Oleksandr Merezhko on the Restart of the Diplomatic Service
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) repeatedly faced personnel challenges that affected the effectiveness of its work. Issues of staffing, rotation and training of diplomats were often raised both in internal discussions and in the public space. In particular, after the appointment of Andrii Sybiga to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs in September 2024, a number of personnel changes and a revision of the foreign policy strategy were announced.
People’s Deputy Oleksandr Merezhko, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, expressed their opinions regarding the directions of work of the newly appointed minister. He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs faces important tasks that require updating of approaches and personnel.
According to Oleksandr Merezhko, the agency needs “fresh blood” — new, highly qualified specialists capable of working in the changed conditions of the global world. These words were a reaction to the statement of President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, who on November 19, in his speech in the parliament, emphasized the need for a complete restart of the diplomatic service.
The need to reform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
According to Merezhko, the key task is to attract professional and motivated personnel to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He notes that Western education, knowledge of rare languages, and the ability to think out of the box are especially important among the requirements for future diplomats. In the conditions of global challenges facing Ukraine, it is precisely such specialists who can ensure an effective foreign policy.
Merezhko hopes that the current Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiga will be able to carry out a deep reform of the department, which will bring it into full compliance with European standards. “The restart is needed not only to improve work, but also to prepare for new stages of international relations, such as, for example, the possible influence of the new US administration in the event of the return of Donald Trump,” the deputy notes.
New challenges and a dangerous era
Merezhko emphasizes that the world is entering a new and quite dangerous period, which will require non-standard and creative approaches in diplomacy. The balance of power in the world is changing, conflicts are intensifying, economic and political contradictions are intensifying. In this context, the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should become key, since Ukraine’s place in the international arena depends on the effective work of diplomats.
What does restart mean
The restart of the diplomatic service involves not only personnel changes, but also a complete transformation of the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This includes creating new strategies, reviewing approaches to interaction with partners, raising the professional level of diplomats and adapting to modern challenges.
According to Merezhko, the main goal of the reforms is to make the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a powerful, flexible and effective institution that will be able to quickly respond to foreign policy challenges.
President Zelensky’s statement on changes
Speaking about the restart of the diplomatic service, President Zelenskyi emphasized that the changes will affect various aspects of the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from financial support to personnel decisions. One of the priority tasks, he called filling all vacant positions of Ukrainian ambassadors, especially in the G7+ states.
Large-scale rotations in the corps of ambassadors are expected by the end of the year. Special attention will be paid to the diplomatic representation in key states, where the influence of Ukrainian diplomacy should be strengthened.
The restart of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a necessary step for Ukraine in the conditions of the modern, rapidly changing world. The reform of the department, the involvement of new specialists and adaptation to new conditions will strengthen Ukraine’s position in the international arena and ensure the successful implementation of foreign policy goals. As Merezhko notes, only through decisive changes can Ukraine be prepared for new challenges and threats that appear in the modern world.
