Who is the New Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha?

Sybiha is a seasoned diplomat with an extensive career, and seems ready to build on that legacy, continuing Ukraine’s drive for international support and further integration into Europe and NATO.

The Ukrainian Parliament approved Sybiha’s appointment on September 5, 2024.

Vision for Ukraine

Sybiha made his priorities clear: "Weapons, weapons, weapons. The top task for Ukrainian diplomacy, from ambassadors to attachés, is to ensure Ukraine’s defense capability.” In his inaugural remarks, he emphasized that Ukraine’s foreign policy, driven by the realities of war, remains focused on victory, ensuring security, and restoring international order. Ukraine's primary objective is to obtain the military support necessary to defend Ukraine and reclaim its occupied territories. He also called for “removing artificial restrictions on Western arms supplies,” particularly in striking military targets inside Russia. Ukraine's “right to self-defense should have no boundaries,” he said.

Sybiha is committed to strengthening sanctions against Russia and accelerating Ukraine’s EU and NATO integration. “Ukraine’s membership in NATO is not only vital for Ukraine but essential for the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region,” he said. Even before his appointment as Foreign Minister, Sybiha was among the first to announce Ukraine's formal application to join the European Union in the wake of the Russian full-scale invasion.

Diplomatic push

Sybiha has already begun securing both immediate and long-term military support from Western allies. In talks with Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, he advocated for acquiring decommissioned military equipment and fast-tracking Italy’s next aid package, while focusing on boosting Ukraine’s air defense. He called on Romania’s Foreign Minister, Luminița Odobesc, to help defend Ukrainian skies by downing Russian strike drones.

Sybiha has also shown Ukraine’s readiness to support its neighbors. He offered the assistance of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service to six flood-affected nations, including Czechia, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Strengthening Ukraine-Hungary relations was another key focus. With his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjártó, Sybiha discussed restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity, holding Russia accountable for its war crimes, and opening the first bilingual Ukrainian-Hungarian school for Ukrainian children in Hungary.

Sybiha also reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to its Peace Formula, which includes nuclear safety, and warned of potential Russian strikes on critical nuclear infrastructure in Ukraine as winter approaches. “Russia–the only state that seized an NPP in Europe, blackmailing the world,” he noted. “We call on all international organizations and states that respect the UN Charter to prevent terrorist state's scenario.”

To bolster Ukraine in its fight against the combined forces of Russia and its ally North Korea—who has sent troops to support Moscow’s aggression—the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Japan held a joint briefing, further strengthening bilateral relations. Sybiha emphasized that Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops marks a dangerous escalation requiring heightened international vigilance. Japan’s Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, pledging to share intelligence on North Korea’s involvement in the war and to provide military equipment. He also underscored Japan’s ongoing support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Andrii Sybiha background

Before his appointment, Sybiha was a prominent diplomat, serving as Deputy Head of President Zelenskyy’s office, where he oversaw foreign policy and international relations. This role placed him at the center of key diplomatic initiatives during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making him a natural successor to Kuleba.

During his tenure in Türkiye, Sybiha developed strategic partnerships, securing Bayraktar drones, initiating joint projects, and signing a free trade agreement—all critical achievements in Ukraine’s defense and economic ties. Volodymyr Fesenko, director of the Kyiv Center for Political Studies “Penta,” called Sybiha’s work with Türkiye “a significant success,” adding that “all of this happened during his time as ambassador.”

As the First Deputy Foreign Minister, Sybiha also focused on strengthening relations with China, visiting the country in June to encourage its participation in the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland and to seek increased Chinese assistance for Ukraine.

Sybiha has been honored with the Order of Merit, 1st and 2nd grade. He and his wife, Tetyana, have three children.

Sybiha’s appointment comes at a pivotal time, as Ukraine faces both military and diplomatic battles. His leadership will be crucial in maintaining Western support, advancing Ukraine’s EU and NATO aspirations, and holding Russia accountable for its ongoing aggression.

“My nation’s right to exist is not Russia’s legitimate security concern. My nation’s choice of its own future is not Russia’s legitimate security concern. In fact, Russia itself is the biggest security concern for the world.”

Andrii Sybiha

Ukrainian Foreign Minister