Deputy Minister Maryana Betsa holds key talks at Madrid conference
At the Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy in Madrid, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Maryana Betsa engaged in a series of bilateral meetings. The discussions focused on collaboration with UN Women, protecting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, countering Russian aggression, and securing defense support for Ukraine.
Core issues on the agenda
During the event, Betsa met with UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous to advance the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. She also held talks with Pramila Patten, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Key topics included:
- documenting crimes committed by Russia;
- preparing the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on sexual violence;
- adding Russia to the UN’s list of shame.
The Ukrainian deputy minister also sat down with Chris Elmore, the UK Foreign Office’s Minister of State for Multilateral Cooperation, Human Rights, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Their conversation centered on holding Russia accountable and coordinating efforts within the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
Another meeting took place with Diego Martínez Belío, Spain’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs. The discussion highlighted defense support for Ukraine, tightening sanctions against Russia, strengthening air defense systems, and advancing Ukraine’s European integration.
During her visit, Betsa also met with the Ukrainian community in Spain, including educational centers, youth organizations, and diaspora activists in Madrid. She gave an interview to Spanish media, stating:
'We appreciate Spain’s support across all areas of aid to Ukraine, but our absolute priority is strengthening Ukraine’s air defense in the face of brutal Russian strikes against civilians.'
Betsa’s engagements at the conference underscore Ukraine’s active role in international affairs, particularly in advancing women’s rights and countering aggression. The relevance of the issues discussed highlights the urgent need for global cooperation to ensure security and human rights amid the ongoing conflict. The emphasis on defense support and tougher sanctions against Russia reflects Ukraine’s strategic approach to protecting its interests and people.
As Ukraine intensifies its diplomatic efforts on the global stage, the recent push for enhanced military support and stricter sanctions reflects a broader strategy to counter Russian aggression and bolster international solidarity. These discussions underscore the urgency of addressing not only military needs but also the humanitarian crisis stemming from the ongoing conflict.