Sybiha previously served as Foreign Minister from September 5, 2024, in Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s government. He later joined Yulia Svyrydenko’s cabinet on July 17, 2025. On July 20, 2026, he was appointed acting Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Addressing parliament before the vote, Sybiha outlined the main priorities of Ukrainian diplomacy: securing a just peace in the war with Russia, strengthening cooperation with the EU and NATO, and developing relations with Ukrainian communities abroad.
“We are at a decisive stage of the war, a stage where diplomacy is particularly important. This is a time of Ukraine’s new geopolitical role, but also challenges of unprecedented scale. This places special responsibility on all of us. Nothing is more important than ending the war,” Sybiha said.
He noted that Ukraine has maintained international support, unlocked EUR 90 billion in EU assistance, increased pressure on Russia, helped establish a special tribunal for crimes of aggression, expanded its diplomatic presence worldwide, and launched initial rounds of EU accession negotiations.
Sybiha stressed that ending the war requires “strength on the battlefield and at the negotiating table,” adding that diplomacy now plays a central role. He highlighted the importance of U.S. involvement, Europe’s active engagement, continued pressure on Moscow, and further support for Ukraine through new military aid packages, deterrence measures, and expansion of the defense sector.
The minister said he believes that “everything must be fought for,” and assured lawmakers that “Ukrainian diplomacy is ready for this fight.”
(pu)
Source: PAP