First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska met with representatives of the Association of Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats, which brings together more than 150 members in Ukraine and countries around the world.

“Diplomacy is a family affair. Not only Ukrainian diplomatic representatives, but also their spouses go with them to diplomatic missions and take on a significant share of the work. For a very long time, this extensive work, performed essentially on a volunteer basis, did not receive proper recognition. But the Association of Spouses of Ukrainian Diplomats, established in 2021, is changing this: its members have found their voice, and their initiatives are growing in scale,” the First Lady said.

The President’s wife noted that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression, the Association has become an effective international platform for supporting Ukraine, combining cultural diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and cross-sectoral partnerships.

Its flagship initiatives include an international charity fair, rehabilitation camps for Ukrainian children, a project providing generators and charging stations to Ukrainian service members, medical institutions, and affected communities, as well as advocacy efforts aimed at supporting the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war and missing persons and facilitating the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

The Association works with Ukrainian and international organizations, diplomatic communities, cultural institutions, charitable foundations, and United Nations agencies, bringing together their efforts to implement humanitarian, cultural, and educational projects in support of Ukraine.

“I thank all members of the Association, its head, Tetiana Sybiha, and Vice President Nataliia Karasevych for their continued involvement in supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians. Being an ambassador for Ukraine does not necessarily mean holding an official position – it is about concrete actions that every caring person can take,” Olena Zelenska concluded.

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