On Monday evening, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi outlined “clear tasks” for diplomacy: to cover all regions of the world with which he has less dialogue and to make Ukraine and Ukrainian interests “easy to understand”, noting that he had in mind the Asian directions, but also to Africa and Latin America, regions that have reluctantly supported Kyiv’s military efforts and where Russia is trying to expand its influence, News.ro reports.

“It was a very busy day – both from the point of view of internal issues, primarily defense and security, and foreign policy,” Zelensky told Ukrainians in his address, which, like every evening, sums up the day.

“I held a meeting of the General Staff. We listened to the reports of division commanders, the chief commissar and heads of special services,” said Zelensky, noting that attention is focused on the defense of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as the south of the country. , naming the Odesa region. “Constant attention is paid to the supply of weapons, ammunition and everything that gives our fighters strength and endurance,” Zelenskyy said.

He mentioned Norway’s contribution in this regard, noting that he had a conversation with the Prime Minister in Oslo. “This country is one of our biggest partners. I expressed gratitude for the new defense package and the unprecedented new support program from Norway, which is being prepared for approval and which will last 5 years – five years of stable support for Ukraine. Norway really helps us to strengthen ourselves on land, in the sky and at sea. Thanks to the powerful and timely Norwegian aid, thousands of Ukrainian lives were saved. But the energy, political and other support of our Norwegian friends is also important. Thanks again for all this help!” – said Zelensky.

The President of Ukraine announced that he also spoke with the elected President of the Republic of Cyprus, whom he congratulated on his victory in the elections. “We discussed relations between our countries and agreed to work together in the interests of common security – of our countries and the whole of Europe,” Zelenskyy said.

Also, in the section of diplomatic contacts, he revealed that on Monday he spoke with the President of the Philippines for the first time in the history of bilateral relations. “I thanked him for his support in international organizations, and we agreed to develop our relations,” the Ukrainian leader said.

In this context, he announced that “it is extremely important for Ukraine to have meaningful relations with the entire region of Southeast Asia and with every country in the region. We will continue in this direction,” Zelensky emphasized before setting a “clear task” for Ukrainian diplomacy: to cover all regions of the world where Ukraine’s position is not yet sufficiently represented, to make Ukraine and Ukrainian interests clear to everyone. states and nations with which Kyiv does not yet have stable ties. “This applies to Asian destinations, as well as Africa and Latin America,” Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that this is a moment when Ukraine’s diplomatic activity is very intense and at the same time critical for the country to be able to get what it needs to resist the war. “We reach new agreements almost every day. Last week was particularly busy. But the most important thing is to make sure that each concluded agreement turns into specific provisions of our defense, into specific interaction between states and into specific signed documents as soon as possible,” Volodymyr Zelenskyi said.

He wrapped up his European tour last week, during which he visited London, Paris and Brussels.

“The visit to Brussels was unprecedented in the history of our relations with the European Union. For the first time there was such attention to Ukraine, for the first time there was a group meeting with all European leaders, but also a series of individual negotiations with European leaders, which were just as dynamic, meaningful and without excessive politicization. With each leader, we discussed only what is important for our relations and for the European community as a whole. There was no pointless conversation,” said Zelensky.

He emphasized separate discussions with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Morawiecki. “We discussed tanks and other ground defense weapons, planes and other air defense equipment. They discussed the general situation in the region, prospects for this year. As always, we have full understanding with our Polish brothers,” Zelenskyy said.

“Our diplomatic marathon continues these weeks. Tomorrow (Tuesday – not) a new meeting in the Ramstein format (defense ministers of allied countries). We are preparing for it. And we are working to ensure that all of our negotiations are reflected in our partners’ defense decisions both in Ramstein and in the run-up to February 24.

New discussions and bilateral meetings are also planned. We are preparing. And we are making sure that this intensity of diplomatic activity becomes the new minimum standard for Ukraine,” Zelenskyi said. “Let’s not forget: every new result means less time for Ukraine to win,” he concluded. (News.ro)