On 22 December, Diplomatic Service Day, the Hennadiy Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine hosted a ceremony attended by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and heads of ministries and agencies. 

The President of Ukraine, the heads of parliament and government addressed the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing their gratitude to diplomats for the results achieved this year for our state and outlining priorities for further work.

As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted in his speech, Ukraine has been able to unite the whole world around itself – those who value life, defend the independence of nations and respect the international legal system. Ukraine has attracted partners to numerous social, humanitarian and military programmes, as well as sanctions.

The President called for continued hard work in this and other key areas to strengthen Ukraine, especially with regard to its own and joint production with partners of long-range drones, interceptor drones and missiles for air defence systems. The Head of State noted that the specific task is to ensure sufficient funding for Ukrainian weapons production for the next year.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the diplomats for their joint work for Ukraine and our defence in this war and presented them with state awards.

In his speech, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, highlighted the successes achieved in parliamentary diplomacy and outlined priority measures for the near future. He stressed the importance of involving the parliaments of partner countries in promoting key initiatives in support of Ukraine. 

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasised in her speech the priority of further work with international partners to support Ukraine's economy during the war, energy security, reconstruction, and the development of trade and investment. 

The heads of parliament and government awarded employees of the diplomatic system with distinctions from the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga held a separate meeting with employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister emphasised that diplomacy had faced many challenges during this very difficult year. Thanks to our soldiers, together with our international partners, and with dignity and a sense that Ukraine is a full participant in the most important processes that not only affect our future but also shape the new architecture of European security.

The Minister emphasised that the main priorities of Ukrainian diplomacy remain dignified and sustainable peace and guaranteed security for our state and people, strengthening the army, increasing sanctions pressure on the aggressor, European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and consular protection of our people in all corners of the world.

According to the head of the Foreign Ministry, a strong foreign policy is impossible without a stable internal system, so the minister paid special attention to talking with his colleagues about internal changes this year and the future work of the diplomatic service. Andriy Sybiga separately noted the importance of reforming the structure of the Foreign Ministry, which this year was brought into line with the realities of war.

A special moment of the day was the presentation by the Head of the National Bank of Ukraine Andriy Pyshnyy of a special commemorative coin of the NBU dedicated to the Day of Diplomatic Service Employees, ‘Diplomacy at the Forefront.’

The coin was prepared for this date as a token of gratitude for the work of the Ukrainian diplomatic service. It contains important symbols, as described by the Head of the National Bank, from an olive branch symbolising peace to a triangle representing diplomacy at the forefront of events. The coin will be put into circulation on 22 December 2025. 

As part of the Foreign Minister's communication with the staff, the tradition of the Foreign Minister presenting commemorative gifts with the symbols of the Foreign Ministry to young specialists on the occasion of their first diplomatic and civil service ranks was also continued. 

The Minister separately awarded employees with departmental distinctions of the Foreign Ministry.

During the celebrations, Andriy Sybiga, together with his wife Tetiana Sybiga and the entire diplomatic team, received the Bethlehem Peace Light, which was delivered to the Diplomatic Academy by Plast scouts.

The Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to Plast for this light – a symbol of goodness and hope for peace and justice.

First Deputy Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya, Deputy Minister Mariana Betsa, Deputy Ministers Oleksandr Mishchenko and Yevhen Perebyinis, State Secretary Oleksandr Karasevych, and Deputy Heads of the Office of the President Ihor Brusylo and Ihor Zhovkva also took part in the events.  

High-ranking foreign guests addressed the Ukrainian diplomatic corps with special video messages on the occasion of the professional holiday: President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste José Manuel Ramos-Horta, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihai Popșoi, Foreign Ministers of Canada Anita Anand, Estonia Margus Tsahkna, and Ireland Helen McEntry. 

The partners noted the dedication with which Ukrainian diplomacy defends Ukraine's interests in the international arena, assured their continued support for our state in confronting Russian aggression, and wished their Ukrainian colleagues success.