Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said one of the main tasks for Ukrainian ambassadors should be preparing the country for winter, including securing missiles for air defence systems, energy equipment and opportunities to import gas.
Interfax-Ukraine reported this.
During a meeting with ambassadors in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said it was currently impossible to predict exactly when diplomatic efforts, Ukraine’s long-range strikes and sanctions imposed by partners would create sufficient pressure on Russia to end the war.
According to him, Ukraine will try to achieve this before winter, while Russia is seeking to prolong the war.
The president named missiles for Patriot, SAMP/T, NASAMS and other air defence systems among the key needs, along with weapons for Ukrainian aircraft.
Zelenskyy stressed that every Ukrainian ambassador should know which countries can supply the necessary transformers, what import agreements are available and which cross-border solutions could support Ukraine.
Diplomats should also know how many air defence missiles are available in their host countries and work to ensure that they are transferred to Ukraine.
The president also announced that a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council would be held in a new format this week. It will consider regional and community resilience plans ahead of winter.
According to Zelenskyy, Ihor Klymenko will become the new secretary of the National Security and Defence Council. He has experience coordinating the security sector and working during the previous winter.
The president separately instructed officials to prepare systematic changes to the rotation of Ukrainian diplomats. Ambassadors and diplomatic staff should speak the language of their host country, understand its culture and maintain constant contact with Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also urged diplomats to work more actively in countries where elections will soon be held, in order to counter Russian hybrid influence and preserve support for Ukraine regardless of the results.
He also identified the development of dialogue with China as another priority, to prevent Beijing from fully backing Russia.
