The key tasks of Ukrainian diplomacy remain attracting weapons for the front and air defense, developing joint defense production, and strengthening Ukraine's presence in the countries of the Global South and Africa. This was stated by the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine (OP) Kyrylo Budanov on July 3 following his participation in the annual meeting of heads of foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine, reports UNN.
According to Budanov, Ukraine needs weapons both for conducting combat operations on the front line and for protecting rear regions from Russian attacks. Special attention should also be paid to attracting interceptor missiles for air defense systems.
"We need weapons for the front and protection of the rear, including interceptor missiles for air defense systems," the head of the OP noted.
Details
Kyrylo Budanov also emphasized that Ukraine should not wait for others' agreements, but independently shape the processes that will determine the future security system in Europe and the world.
He stressed that sustainable peace cannot be built on concessions, illusions, or weakness. According to him, Ukraine has already demonstrated that it will not agree to the role of a passive participant in agreements concluded without consideration of its position.
"True peace is never born from illusions or weakness — it is a direct consequence of strength and resistance. Ukraine has already proven that it will not be a passive object of others' agreements. Our task is to become architects of the processes that will determine the new security order in Europe and the world," the head of the OP stated.
He noted that in the conditions of a full-scale war, diplomatic work is essentially a continuation of the state's defense. That is why Ukrainian diplomatic missions should focus on finding the resources necessary for the Security and Defense Forces.
"Diplomacy during war is a direct continuation of our defense. Therefore, I fully support the position that the primary task for every Ukrainian diplomatic mission today remains the search for necessary resources for the Security and Defense Forces," Budanov emphasized.
He also announced a change in Ukraine's approach to defense cooperation with international partners. Instead of constant requests for aid, Kyiv should move to creating joint ventures, localizing production, and forming mutually beneficial projects.
"Today we are moving from requests for aid to the language of joint production, localization, and mutual interests. Investments in the Ukrainian defense industry are the most effective and cheapest way to guarantee the security of the European future," Budanov said.
At the same time, according to him, Ukraine must protect its own economic interests and not limit itself to transferring defense technologies abroad. Joint productions should be located primarily on Ukrainian territory, and the state should export finished products with high added value.
"Ukraine must build joint ventures on its own territory and export finished products with high added value, rather than simply giving away technologies abroad," the head of the OP emphasized.
Budanov named the development of relations with the countries of the Global South and Africa as a separate strategic direction. According to him, Russia has been spreading disinformation there for years, so Ukraine's presence in these regions should become systematic.
"Our presence there should be based on grain diplomacy under the Ukrainian flag, security cooperation, trade, and educational ties," Budanov said.
He emphasized that international partners and adversaries primarily take into account states capable of demonstrating unity and strength both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
"The voice of the weak is not heard in the modern world. Only when the enemy sees our internal unity and strength on the front line and in negotiations does the conversation become constructive," the head of the OP summarized.
Recall
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the effectiveness of ambassadors will be measured by the volume of attracted weapons, finances, and political decisions. He emphasized the need to revise the KPIs of embassies for these tasks.