Restructuring of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: what new departments will appear in Ukraine

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a major restructuring that takes into account the realities of war and best European practices. Find out what new departments have been created, how the structure is changing, and what areas will become priorities for Ukrainian diplomacy

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On July 7, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine officially approved a new structure that meets the conditions of war and the best European and global standards of diplomatic service.

The relevant order was signed by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga. This is another step towards reforming the foreign policy department, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

What is changing?

The innovations concern not only administrative details, but also the principles of foreign policy. The main priorities are efficiency, rapid response, national security, European integration, humanitarian diplomacy, and digital transformation.

Key areas of reform include:

1) Abandoning the Soviet legacy: territorial departments will no longer have conditional “codes” such as 1TD or 2TD — they will now have clear European names corresponding to regions.

2) Strengthening the defense component: a Department of International Security and Defense has been created to replace the outdated concept of “disarmament.”

3) Separate management of sanctions policy: this will consolidate efforts to put pressure on the aggressor, analyze compliance with sanctions, and close loopholes.

4) Department for Unfriendly Countries: responsible for countering threats from Russia, Belarus, North Korea, and similar regimes.

5) Separate department for Central Asia — as a signal of increased attention to this region.

6) Department of International Law and International Legal Counteraction to Aggression: will deal, in particular, with holding Russia accountable for war crimes.

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Regional departments — based on the European model

The structure will now include the following regional divisions:

- First and Second European Departments

- Department of the United States and Canada (separate from Latin America)

- Department of Latin America and the Caribbean

- Department of Asia and the Pacific

- Department of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

- Department of Africa and African Regional Organizations

This division allows for the geopolitical specifics of each region to be taken into account, avoiding excessive consolidation, as was previously the case.

Support for the diaspora and international recovery

Instead of managing the Ukrainian diaspora, a Department of Global Ukrainians and Humanitarian Cooperation is being created to support millions of Ukrainians abroad.

A Department of Economic Diplomacy and Recovery is being created, which will work not only on exports but also on attracting aid for the country's reconstruction.

NATO and the EU — separate areas

Integration into NATO will no longer be an “add-on” to European integration. A separate NATO department is being created, while the EU Department will focus exclusively on preparing for EU accession. This demonstrates the strategic importance of both vectors.

Digitalization, AI, and cyber diplomacy

The following will be added to the structure:

- Deputy Minister – CDTO (Chief Digital Transformation Officer)

- Cyber Diplomacy Division

- Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Sector

Human capital is a priority

The HR department will be transformed into a Personnel Department, whose main task will be to attract young professionals and create a motivation system.

The role of the H. Udovenko Diplomatic Academy will also be strengthened, with plans to transform it into a fully-fledged higher education institution.

New management format

A clear functional division of responsibilities among deputy ministers will be introduced:

First Deputy Minister (responsible areas, including countering threats)

Deputy Minister for European Policy

Deputy Minister for International Security

Deputy Minister for Global Issues and Public Diplomacy

Deputy Minister – CDTO for Digitalization

The restructuring of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not just a formal update. It is a strategic reorganization in line with the realities of wartime, taking into account both global challenges and internal needs.

From now on, Ukraine's foreign policy will be even more flexible, professional, and focused, with the clear goal of protecting the country, supporting the people, and securing our place in the European and global community.

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