President Zelenskyy Meets with Representatives of Ukraine’s National Minorities and Indigenous Peoples

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently held a meeting with representatives of national minorities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine, marking the Day of Interethnic Harmony and Cultural Diversity. The gathering included delegates from various communities such as Azerbaijani, Arab, Belarusian, Armenian, Greek, Jewish, and Hungarian, as well as Ukraine’s indigenous groups. During the meeting, President Zelenskyy acknowledged the vital role played by national minorities in the country and expressed gratitude for their contributions to Ukraine’s defense efforts. He highlighted the importance of unity and emphasized the need to protect the rights of these communities, including those living abroad.

Zelenskyy mentioned the establishment of an action plan to safeguard the rights of national minorities, which has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The focus of the plan includes addressing language, education, infrastructure issues, and providing support to Ukrainians living abroad. The President also stressed the significance of maintaining connections with overseas communities and ensuring their ties to Ukraine remain strong.

Discussions at the meeting centered around unresolved issues such as the implementation of the law on indigenous peoples, enhancing government coordination with national minorities, and language and education matters. Participants highlighted the importance of including residents of occupied territories in prisoner exchange lists and granting Ukrainian citizenship to foreigners who have been awaiting it. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov mentioned the progress of a draft law on multiple citizenship, which aims to comprehensively address these issues.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Heads of the Office of the President and Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience. The dialogue emphasized the unity and diversity of Ukraine, underscoring the shared commitment to freedom and European values among its citizens.