By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on Tuesday approved sweeping structural reforms in the Foreign Ministry, including the creation of a department dedicated to “unfriendly countries” such as Russia, North Korea, and Belarus, citing the ongoing war and the need to counter external threats.

“This is not about bilateral relations, but about countering threats,” Sybiha said, noting that the new unit will fall under the supervision of the First Deputy Minister and focus on states aiding or aligned with Russia’s aggression.

The shakeup, described as aligning with “European and global diplomatic practices,” also includes separate departments for NATO and EU integration, with the NATO unit specifically aimed at accelerating Ukraine’s path to full alliance membership.

“Previously, integration into the EU and NATO was handled together. Now, NATO gets its own department,” Sybiha added.

Among other changes, Ukraine will establish a Department for International Security and Defense, a Sanctions Policy Department, and a Cyber Diplomacy Department.

A new unit, International Legal Counteraction to Aggression, will target accountability for Russia’s wartime actions.

The overhaul eliminates Soviet-era numerical codes for territorial divisions and introduces geographically named departments such as Asia-Pacific, MENA, Africa, and Central Asia.

The US and Canada portfolio will be separated from Latin American affairs.

The reform also includes a Global Ukrainians and Humanitarian Cooperation Department, a modernized Personnel Department, and plans to expand the Diplomatic Academy into a full higher education institution.

The ministry will additionally promote innovation with a sector dedicated to artificial intelligence.

“These decisions are dictated by the needs of wartime,” Sybiha said. “They aim to ensure an effective structure, clear resource allocation, and prioritization of goals in line with best global standards.”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously named the renewal of Ukraine’s diplomacy as a key national priority.