The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is preparing an action plan aimed at Ukrainians outside the country. This was announced by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during the Forum of Wartime Diplomacy on April 12, UNN reports.
Details
Kuleba announced that his department is working on a strategy for Ukrainians living abroad. He also outlined four other priorities, including:
- Air defense (Patriot and SAMR-T);
- The peace formula and the summit in Switzerland;
- EU and NATO;
- Latin America.
And fifth, a new policy towards Ukrainians abroad. This started popping up in my head back in 2021, but after the (outbreak of) the war, it became obvious that if we don't change our policy towards Ukrainians abroad, assimilation will happen extremely quickly. I don't belong to those who believe that they will return, I belong to those who believe that we need to work with them
The Foreign Minister expressed doubts about the return of most Ukrainians who emigrated, but emphasized the need to work with them to preserve their Ukrainian identity.
"And here, from multiple citizenship, which has already turned into a crusade for multiple citizenship, but I am sure that we will win this battle, to digitalization of consular services, more effective funding of communities and various programs with them, we need a new comprehensive policy on Ukrainians abroad," Kuleba emphasized.
He added that this task was set by the President, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in turn, prepared the developments.
"The President has set this task, and we have prepared doctrinal and conceptual developments - a program, a strategy, and we will discuss it with other authorities, because it is a complex task. We will present it to the President, because he pays very important attention to Ukrainians abroad," the Foreign Minister said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Iryna Borovets told Suspilne that the strategy is still at the draft stage. This strategy has a broader meaning than just the MFA's interaction with Ukrainians abroad, and it is not limited to return issues.
"Someone wants to return, someone we want to return. Someone has been living there legitimately for a long time with a passport of another country, but can be our lawyer. That is, this strategy-I cannot reveal all the fundamental points of this strategy now-is a new look at Ukraine's relations with Ukrainians abroad, no matter what status they are in now," Borovets said.
Recall
As of February 2024, 4.2 million Ukrainians, representing 98% of all recipients, have been granted temporary protection in the EU since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.