Andrii Sybiha’s Diplomatic Visits to European Capitals
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has concluded a series of visits to three European capitals—Brussels, Warsaw, and Bucharest. The discussions focused on several key areas:
- bolstering support for Ukraine;
- European security;
- Ukraine’s EU membership prospects;
- sanctions against Russia;
- the return of deported children;
- defense cooperation with NATO and the EU.
The tour lasted three days. In Brussels, Sybiha attended a session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, bringing together ministers from EU member states. At NATO headquarters, he met with Secretary General Mark Rutte. Special attention was given to humanitarian issues, including a high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. According to available data, over 20,000 cases of deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia have been documented, with more than 2,000 children successfully brought back home.
'The return of Ukrainian children must be an integral part of any peace process,' — Andrii Sybiha.
In Warsaw, the minister held talks with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, and also met with Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau at the Office of the President of Poland. Sybiha participated in the Strategic Ark conference hosted by the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM). Additionally, he joined the delegation of Ukraine’s President at the Bucharest Nine summit in Romania. These meetings covered preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara, outcomes of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Poland, and the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference scheduled to take place in Poland.
A central topic across the visits was sanctions. The EU, United Kingdom, Canada, and Norway have imposed new sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in crimes against Ukrainian children. Sybiha emphasized: 'Russia fears this issue, tries to downplay it and remove it from the international agenda, because it understands the scale of its own crime and fears accountability.' He also stated: 'For Europe, the time has come for decisions that will define its security for years to come.' He underscored Ukraine’s readiness to expand defense cooperation with the U.S. and the EU, noting: 'Ukraine is ready to scale up the Drone Deal, joint production, technological cooperation, and training of military partners.'
In summary, Andrii Sybiha’s visits to Brussels, Warsaw, and Bucharest marked a significant step in strengthening international support for Ukraine and advancing discussions on European security, the return of children, and defense collaboration. These engagements highlight Ukraine’s proactive efforts on the global stage to secure its safety and address humanitarian challenges arising from the war. Ukraine’s position on the repatriation of deported children and the continuation of sanctions against Russia remains a crucial element of international negotiations and cooperation.
In light of the ongoing discussions surrounding humanitarian issues, including the return of deported children, it is essential to recognize similar efforts taking place on a global scale. Recently, Ukraine and Canada engaged in talks focused on aid and military support, which also highlighted the importance of child repatriation. These diplomatic efforts underscore the urgency of addressing the plight of affected children amidst the broader geopolitical tensions.