President Zelensky outlines Ukraine's foreign policy goals for 2024

According to the European Pravda (Ukraine) newspaper recently, on the occasion of Ukrainian Diplomacy Day on December 22, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the country's diplomats and outlined Kiev's foreign policy goals for the coming year.

The priorities include efforts to increase defense assistance to Ukraine, Zelensky was quoted as saying by the source. “We need more weapons because we have no intention of surrendering. Ukraine will prevail,” he said.

In addition, Ukraine needs to pursue active cooperation with the European Union (EU), especially in developing the negotiating framework and starting full integration with the EU in all areas.

President Zelensky noted the importance of full participation in each of the Ramstein-model defense alliances (Defense Contact Group on Ukraine) and other platforms aimed at enhancing Ukraine's military capabilities and its resilience.

In addition, Mr. Zelensky said sanctions against Russia should be expanded.

President Zelensky also pointed out the importance of working with Ukraine's partners to track down, freeze and seize Russian assets that benefit Ukraine.

Mr. Zelensky stressed that the country's foreign policy should focus on developing and increasing the number of long-term assistance programs for Ukraine as one of the pillars of the country's stability during the war.

President Zelensky also mentioned the development of domestic defense production. “Each Ukrainian diplomat can help the country increase the production of weapons, ammunition, equipment, air defense systems in Ukraine by seeking cooperation with partners,” Zelensky said.

Along with that, Mr. Zelensky noted the urgency of ensuring continued exports by sea, implementing a humanitarian grain program from Ukraine and promoting cooperation with Latin American, African, Arab and Asian countries.

The President of Ukraine said that efforts should be made at various levels to promote Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, and reminded Ukrainian diplomatic representatives to also pay close attention to the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

Last week, President Zelensky said there was no end in sight to the conflict in Ukraine, as Kiev's allies grew weary after nearly two years of fighting and Russia grew increasingly confident of victory.

Mr Zelensky said he had rejected a request from the Ukrainian military to mobilize up to 500,000 troops, an unpopular proposal that could further erode his popularity among Ukrainians.

Zelensky has been touring the West to call for more military and political support, but has failed to get the US Congress to immediately approve a $60 billion aid package, while in Brussels, Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has blocked an aid package worth around 50 billion euros to Kiev.

As the US election approaches next year, Mr Zelensky acknowledged that the outcome of the vote could have a huge impact on the course of the war in Ukraine.

The diplomatic setbacks followed an unsuccessful counter-offensive launched by Ukraine in June.

However, Ukraine was somewhat "comforted" when on December 14, the European Council adopted a decision to start EU accession negotiations with Ukraine. This means that relations between Ukraine and the EU have entered a new stage.