Thank you and farewell, Dmytro Kuleba

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08.09.2024 Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission

HR/VP Blog - My friend and colleague Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba has been replaced by his former deputy Andriy Sybiha. I would like to pay tribute to the tremendous job he did in representing Ukraine in a very difficult time and in advancing the EU-Ukraine relationship. Based on this close relationship, we will continue to support Ukraine's fight for its freedom and sovereignty for as long as it takes and with whatever it takes.

© European Union, 2023

As Ukrainian foreign ministerin the midst of the worst war of aggression on European soil since the Second World War, Dmytro Kuleba has had one of the most difficult jobs in the world. He managed this challenge skilfully, in an impressive way, showing remarkable resilience. He always put the Ukrainian people and their cause above anything else.

A very close working relationship

We worked as closely as it gets - I would dare to say even closer than with many EU foreign affairs ministers. We met for the first time during my first trip to Kyiv in early 2020. We travelled together to the Donbas in January 2022, where I got to witness first-hand the very dangerous situation at the demarcation line. I was also the first foreign official he called when Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, at one of Europe's darkest hour in decades.

From then on, our relationship has grown stronger by the day into a real friendship. I have visited Ukraine five times since then, and together we even organised the first ever EU foreign affairs council outside the EU in Kyiv last October. In parallel, the EU-Ukraine relationship evolved in a similar way: since 2022, the EU has given Ukraine massive economic and humanitarian support as well as military support for the first time ever to a country at war. Furthermore, last year Ukraine became a candidate country with a clear path towards EU membership.

Dmytro Kuleba has significantly contributed to these major achievements through his engagement and diplomatic skills. More broadly, he has been the remarkable voice of Ukrainian diplomacy around the world. From Africa to Latin America, he was able to explain very clearly and convincingly to audiences largely unfamiliar with the realities of the region why Ukraine needs to be supported against a brutal aggressor, who is violating international law and the UN Charter.

Looking forward to working with Andriy Sybiha

From the bottom of my heart, I wish Dmytro Kuleba all the best for the rest of his career. In the meantime, I am looking forward to working with Andriy Sybiha, who has been given the difficult task of succeeding him. Aseasoned diplomat, he has held multiple roles alongside President Zelenskyy and Minister Kuleba. The months ahead will be defining for the course of the war. It is important to have a skilled official like Minister Sibyha at the helm of the Ukrainian diplomacy - to continue securing international support for Ukraine, starting at the UN.

We just had a few days ago our first phone call. I extended also to him my open invitation to participate in the EU foreign affairs council, which Dmytro attended every time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Unfortunately, the important aid we have already given to Ukraine has not yet been sufficient to restore Ukraine's sovereignty over its entire territory and put an end to the Russian war of aggression. I assured Minister Sibyha that the EU will stand with Ukraine - for as long as it takes and with whatever it takes.

Boosting our political and military support to Ukraine

Ukraine has been a top priority throughout my mandate. As my tenure nears its end, I intend to use these last months to keep advancing our cooperation and boost our political and military support to Ukraine. I also intend to travel to Ukraine one more time before Kaja Kallas takes over the HR/VP role and continues our common fight for Ukraine's victory and freedom.