President: Ukraine's goal is to return Ukrainian refugees home

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the goal for the country is to bring back home Ukrainians who have been forced to flee the war and preserve their connection with Ukraine, culture, and society.

He said this at a meeting with the heads of foreign diplomatic institutions, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Everything that our state does is aimed at protecting life in Ukraine, people in Ukraine, our people, who are now not only in Ukraine but also in different countries around the world. We are grateful to everyone who sheltered our people, our displaced persons from Ukraine. This is a truly historical gratitude that will forever preserve warm emotions and cordiality in relations with many countries, including Poland and Germany, the Baltic countries and Romania, our partners from the Czech Republic, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Slovakia, Italy, Portugal, the United States, Canada, and many more of our friends. With all those who sheltered our people. But Ukraine's goal is to return people home, preserve their connection with Ukraine, connection with Ukrainian culture, connection with our society," Zelensky said.

He said that Ukrainian books, Ukrainian information space, and Ukrainian education should be accessible to fellow citizens abroad. He added that this is also the personal responsibility of the ambassadors.

Zelensky said that one of the mandatory tasks of diplomats is to protect the rights of Ukrainians.

"They [Ukrainians] should feel that you are with them and for their sake, and therefore Ukraine is with them. Ukrainian embassies should be helpers for our people and, if necessary, saviors," he added.

According to the Ukrainian Economy Ministry, about 6.2 million Ukrainians currently stay abroad.