The policy towards Ukrainians abroad is undergoing changes: the new head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sybig
Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiga announced his intention to significantly change the state policy towards Ukrainians who are currently abroad. During the speech before the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada, where his candidacy was considered, Sybig emphasized, that more than 7.5 million Ukrainians are currently outside the country, and it is necessary to simplify the provision of consular services for them.
“The first steps in this direction have already been taken – we are talking about the e-Consul system. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will play a leading role in ensuring all the necessary legal rights of our citizens abroad… We are establishing a dialogue, we clearly understand the needs of our citizens there. We will increase and expand the network of consular institutions and improve the quality of service provision”, he declared.
Sybiga promised that these services will be “as accessible as possible”, in particular through the modernization and digitization of processes. Already by the end of the year, Ukrainians abroad will be able to use the new e-Consul system, which will significantly speed up and facilitate access to many services, some of which will be available completely online. The government approved such a resolution on August 22, when Dmytro Kuleba was still the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In addition, the head of the “Servant of the People” faction, Davyd Arakhamia, said that at the meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, they discussed the creation of a new government body – the Ministry of the Return of Ukrainians. This structure is supposed to help Ukrainian citizens who left because of the war to return home, but Zelenskyy emphasized that this process will not be forced.
On September 5, the Verkhovna Rada officially appointed Andrii Sybiga to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. He replaced Dmytro Kuleba, who resigned earlier that day. Sybiga’s candidacy was officially nominated by the President of Ukraine.
