Ihor Klymenko presents strategic goals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in international cooperation to heads of Ukrainian diplomatic missions

During the annual meeting of heads of Ukraine’s foreign diplomatic missions, titled “From the Strength of Diplomacy to the Diplomacy of Strength,” initiated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko outlined the strategic goals of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) that require support from the diplomatic corps. The event also featured presentations on the priorities of the Minister of Defence, Denys Shmyhal, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Andrii Hnatov.

Primary Focus: Domestic Security

At the start of his address, Ihor Klymenko greeted the participants and highlighted the importance of such joint meetings. In his presentation, accompanied by a video showcasing the MIA’s activities, he outlined the Ministry’s role within the Security and Defence Forces and discussed its key ongoing projects.

He noted that defence capability is currently the top priority for the Ministry. Approximately 20% of Ukraine’s Defence Forces consist of combat units from the MIA system, including the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Police of Ukraine. These units, in varying capacities, actively participate in combat operations across all frontlines under the command of the Armed Forces. The MIA’s responsibilities also include the work of rescuers, population evacuation, and the provision of public services, including in frontline areas and abroad.

Ihor Klymenko emphasised that the National Guard is the second-largest component of Ukraine’s Defence Forces after the Armed Forces, and as the head of the MIA, he is responsible for ensuring the readiness of the Ministry’s combat units.

“We greatly value the consistent support from our partners. The United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the EU play leading roles in providing assistance. Their multifaceted support has been a significant factor in strengthening the capabilities of the MIA’s agencies,” the Minister stated.

He stressed that, both during the war and in the post-war period, ensuring public safety is a fundamental priority, serving as the foundation for recovery and the return of Ukrainians from abroad.

Priorities for International Cooperation

In this context, the Head of the MIA outlined strategic goals and identified seven key priorities requiring enhanced support from international partners.

Priority 1: Protection of Critical Infrastructure

Mobile units of the National Guard, in coordination with air defence forces, ensure the protection of critical infrastructure.

Priority 2: Civil Protection

There is a need to strengthen the capabilities of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), particularly by enhancing remote firefighting capabilities and integrating robotic systems.

“Ukraine will soon become one of the leading countries in the use of robotic systems for firefighting. We have also established engineering units within the SESU that employ engineering equipment to address the aftermath of attacks on critical, industrial, and residential infrastructure. The availability of engineering equipment often determines the speed of our response. Engineering equipment and robotic systems are not only effective tools but, above all, they save the lives of our people and rescuers,” Ihor Klymenko emphasised.

The Minister placed particular emphasis on the development of shelters. He noted that in May this year, a Ukrainian-Finnish initiative, the “Civil Protection Shelters Coalition,” was launched. The Ministry is counting on the active engagement of diplomatic missions abroad to attract as many partners as possible to this coalition.

Priority 3: Strengthening State Border Protection

Modernisation of control systems on Ukraine’s western border is needed, including the deployment of video monitoring and surveillance systems. The Minister expressed gratitude to Polish colleagues for their effective cooperation and underscored that technical enhancements to the western border and fortification of the borders with belarus and russia remain priorities for the MIA, both during and after the war.

Priority 4: Demining

The Minister highlighted that 50% of all demining operations in Ukraine are carried out by the SESU.

“Japan has established itself as a key partner in humanitarian demining. Its unprecedented contribution includes training demining teams, supplying specialised equipment, and supporting the establishment of a Humanitarian Demining Training Centre in Vinnytsia, which is a critical component of ‘localising’ pyrotechnic training. Over 100 demining vehicles are in use within the MIA system, with 30% provided by the Government of Japan. Vehicles have also been supplied by Germany, Switzerland, Nordic countries, and others,” Ihor Klymenko reported.

Priority 5: Support for Veterans

This priority focuses on treatment, physical and psychological rehabilitation, prosthetics, and social support.

“We are expanding the capabilities of our rehabilitation centres. We are working on establishing a prosthetics and rehabilitation centre and a mental health centre. These are large-scale projects requiring significant resources but are critically important for the recovery of our defenders,” the Minister noted.

Support for defenders’ families is also vital, with the MIA regularly organising rest and recovery trips abroad for groups of children. Such cooperation is ongoing with Croatia, Latvia, Romania, the USA, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Albania, and Spain.

Priority 6: Ensuring the Rights of Ukrainians Abroad

Key efforts include simplifying the process for exchanging Ukrainian driving licences. In 2023, an agreement was signed with Lithuania, and this year, the Ministry aims to reach similar agreements with Latvia.

“We are working to initiate dialogue with several European countries, with a particular focus on Germany and France. We hope for the support of their diplomatic missions,” Ihor Klymenko noted.

Separately, the work of overseas branches of the “Document” State Enterprise was highlighted. Unlike diplomatic missions, these branches provide purely service functions, such as accepting applications and issuing documents under the Migration Service’s jurisdiction.

Fourteen “Document” branches are already operational in Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, and Italy, with plans to open branches in the USA, Canada, the UK, Moldova, and Belgium.

Priority 7: Combating Organised Crime

The Minister noted that, alongside practical international cooperation, updating the legal framework for such collaboration is equally important. Last year, a new cooperation agreement on combating crime was signed with the Czech Republic, and this year, the MIA plans to sign a similar agreement with Poland. Active negotiations are also ongoing with several European countries.

“The security and humanitarian components of the MIA’s system are broad, and every country can find its niche to provide assistance. The key is the willingness to support,” Ihor Klymenko concluded.

In closing, the Minister of Internal Affairs thanked the representatives of diplomatic missions for their dedicated representation of Ukraine abroad and their service in the interests of the state.