Ukrainian narratives, needs, and vision must be accessibly presented on all information platforms capable of influencing public opinion and political decisions. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 3 during a meeting of heads of foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine, reports UNN.
He emphasized that such work should help strengthen international support for Ukraine and respect for Ukrainian communities abroad.
"The Ukrainian position, our opinion, our view, our narratives, our needs must be and sound accessible in podcasts, on social networks, with bloggers and influencers. But at the same time — in every one of the familiar media that still have influence, are cited, have political significance and a real ability to maintain attention to Ukraine," Zelenskyy stated.
He added that Ukrainian diplomats must systematically promote the state's position in traditional media, social networks, podcasts, and through influencers, as well as have a deep knowledge of the language, culture, and societal characteristics of the countries in which they work.
Details
The President also drew attention to the need for diplomats to have a better knowledge of the languages of their host countries. According to him, the Ukrainian diplomatic service has for many years felt a shortage of specialists who speak foreign languages other than English.
"We have a traditional, long-standing flaw in our diplomatic service: there is a deficit with all languages except English. I ask you to prepare systemic solutions that can change this," Zelenskyy said.
The head of state emphasized that ambassadors and employees of diplomatic missions must understand the values, traditions, holidays, historical traumas, and culture of the peoples of the countries in which they represent Ukraine.
"You need to be deeply oriented in the values, holidays, and pain of every nation where you work, in the culture, and know the language," Zelenskyy stressed.
At the same time, according to the head of state, diplomats must regularly come to Ukraine and have a good understanding of the realities in which the country lives during the war.
"You need to visit Ukraine regularly, live one life with Ukraine, and feel what Ukrainians are going through. Every Ukrainian ambassador must feel what the front is like, what a frontline or border community is like, what recovery after shelling is like," he stated.
The President added that diplomats must be aware of the consequences of the shortage of air defense systems and Russian missile attacks.
"Every ambassador must feel what it is like when the air defense launchers are empty, and the Russians strike with ballistic missiles," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Separately, the Ukrainian leader called for more careful selection and preparation of personnel replacements in diplomatic missions. Employees of embassies who return to Ukraine should be offered positions that correspond to their experience and contribution to the work of the state.
"Otherwise, there is a risk of losing experienced specialists for the diplomatic system, which we cannot afford," the president summarized.
Reminder
The new French Ambassador addressed Ukrainians in Ukrainian before starting work in Kyiv.