Andrii Sybiha

Andrii Sybiha is a Ukrainian diplomat serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 5 September 2024. Born in 1975 in Zboriv, Ternopil Oblast, he graduated from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv in 1997 with a degree in international relations and began his diplomatic career that year as an attaché at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Throughout his career, Sybiha has held key positions in international legal affairs, consular services, and bilateral diplomacy, including as second and first secretary at Ukraine's embassy in Poland (1998–2002), minister counsellor there (2008–2012), and head of the consular service directorate (2012–2016). He served as Ambassador to Turkey from 2016 to 2021 before becoming Deputy Head of the Office of the President, where he contributed to foreign policy coordination amid Russia's full-scale invasion, including Ukraine's rapid application for European Union membership in 2022. Appointed First Deputy Foreign Minister in April 2024, Sybiha has emphasized securing Western military support and long-range weapons for Ukraine's defense.

Early life and education

Early life

Andrii Sybiha was born in 1975 in Zboriv, a town in Ternopil Oblast in western Ukraine.

Education

Sybiha graduated from Ivan Franko National University of Lviv in 1997 as a specialist in international relations and interpreter from English. He later earned a specialization in law from the same university in 1999. This academic background facilitated his immediate entry into diplomatic service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine upon graduation.

Diplomatic career

Early diplomatic roles

Sybiha began his diplomatic career in 1997 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, starting as an attaché and progressing to third secretary and second secretary in the State and Legal Affairs Department. From 1998 to 2002, he served as second and first secretary at the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland. From 2008 to 2012, he served as minister counsellor at the Embassy of Ukraine in Poland, handling consular and bilateral affairs. These positions laid the groundwork for his advancement in Ukraine's foreign service.

Ambassador to Turkey and subsequent positions

Sybiha served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Turkey from 2016 to 2021. During this period, he focused on enhancing bilateral ties amid regional challenges, including Turkey's balancing act between Ukraine and Russia.

A key outcome of his tenure was the advancement of economic cooperation, including progress in negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement that would expand market access for Ukrainian goods in Turkey. This effort built on prior frameworks and laid groundwork for trade growth, with Ukraine exporting agricultural products and Turkey providing industrial goods.

Upon completion of his ambassadorship in May 2021, Sybiha returned to Ukraine for subsequent senior diplomatic roles.

Senior advisory roles

Sybiha served as Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine from 2021 to 2024, overseeing foreign policy matters and strategic partnerships during a period that included the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion. In this capacity, he coordinated high-level engagements on Ukraine's international relations and security priorities.

From April to September 2024, Sybiha held the position of First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, where he contributed to the coordination of Ukraine's diplomatic efforts amid ongoing geopolitical challenges. This senior advisory role built on his prior experience, paving the way for his subsequent ministerial appointment.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Appointment

Andrii Sybiha was nominated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs by the Verkhovna Rada on September 5, 2024, succeeding Dmytro Kuleba whose resignation was part of a broader government reshuffle. The vote in parliament approved the nomination amid Ukraine's ongoing defense against the Russian invasion, emphasizing continuity in diplomatic efforts.

The appointment highlighted priorities in wartime diplomacy, including bolstering international alliances to secure military aid and weapons support essential for Ukraine's sovereignty. Prior to this role, Sybiha had served as First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs since April 2024, building on his extensive diplomatic experience.

Key diplomatic engagements

In February 2026, Sybiha met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where he affirmed Ukraine's adherence to the one-China principle and committed to measures ensuring the safety and rights of Chinese citizens and enterprises in Ukraine. He expressed appreciation for China's consistent respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing the countries' traditional friendship, China's status as Ukraine's largest trading partner, and potential for deepened cooperation amid the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership. The discussions highlighted bilateral ties based on reciprocal respect for territorial integrity, Ukraine's battlefield situation including Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, and China's role in peace efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, with Sybiha inviting Wang to visit Ukraine.

Sybiha also engaged with European and other counterparts at the same conference to advance peace initiatives and sanctions against Russia, including talks with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on accelerating peace through U.S. and EU involvement and increasing pressure on Moscow. He met Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss trade and bilateral relations amid the ongoing conflict. These engagements underscored Sybiha's focus on multilateral diplomacy to bolster alliances, secure humanitarian aid like Norway's energy support, and promote Ukraine's sovereignty.