President Zelenskyy emphasized the need to strengthen international support through media at a meeting with diplomats on July 3. He also urged diplomats to better understand the languages and cultures of the countries where they are stationed.
Ukrainian narratives, needs, and perspectives must be readily accessible on all information platforms capable of influencing public opinion and political decisions. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 3 during a meeting with heads of Ukraine’s foreign diplomatic missions, UNN reports.
He stressed that such work should contribute to strengthening international support for Ukraine and respect for Ukrainian communities abroad.
“Ukraine’s position, our opinion, our outlook, our narratives, our needs must be and sound accessible in podcasts, on social media, from bloggers and influencers. But at the same time, in every traditional media outlet that still has influence, is cited, holds political significance, and has a real ability to maintain attention on Ukraine,” stated Zelenskyy.
He added that Ukrainian diplomats must systematically promote the state’s position in traditional media, social networks, podcasts, and through influencers, as well as deeply understand the language, culture, and societal specifics of the countries in which they work.
Details
The President also drew attention to the necessity for diplomats to have a better command of the languages of the countries they are stationed in. According to him, for many years, the Ukrainian diplomatic service has experienced a deficit of specialists proficient in languages other than English.
“We have a traditional, long-standing flaw in our diplomatic service, which is a deficit in all languages except English. I ask you to prepare systemic solutions that can change this,” said Zelenskyy.
The head of state emphasized that ambassadors and staff of diplomatic missions must understand the values, traditions, holidays, historical traumas, and culture of the peoples in the countries where they represent Ukraine.
“You need to be deeply oriented in the values, holidays, and pains of each nation where you work, in their culture, and know the language,” Zelenskyy stressed.
At the same time, according to the head of state, diplomats must regularly visit Ukraine and thoroughly understand the realities the country is experiencing 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 it’s like on the front line, what it’s like in a frontline or border community, what it’s like to recover after shelling,” he stated.
The President added that diplomats must be aware of the consequences of air defense shortages and Russian missile attacks.
“Every ambassador must feel what it’s like when the air defense launchers are empty, and Russians are striking with ballistic missiles,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Separately, the Ukrainian leader called for more thorough selection and training of personnel replacements within diplomatic missions. Embassy staff returning to Ukraine should be offered positions that match their experience and contribution to the state’s work.
“Otherwise, there is a risk of losing experienced specialists for the diplomatic system, which we cannot afford,” the president concluded.
Recall
The new French ambassador addressed Ukrainians in Ukrainian before starting his work in Kyiv.