On 19 November 2025, Secretary General Franco Dal Mas, together with Deputy Secretary General Yurii Mushka visited Kyiv in the framework of the Organisation’s ongoing support provided since the outset of the large-scale Russian aggression in 2022.
During the visit, the CEI delegation met with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, who expressed his appreciation for the Secretary General’s presence in the country. Discussions addressed the current situation on the ground, reconstruction priorities and immediate needs, also in light of the continued attacks against civilian infrastructure, including the one that struck the city of Ternopil the previous night, causing more than 20 casualties.
The Minister outlined the main challenges faced by the country and highlighted the value of multilateral cooperation, thanking the CEI for its consistent and unwavering support. He further announced that Ukraine was ready to engage more in the CEI activites and hold the CEI Presidency in the near future. He also stressed the urgency of concrete assistance in the areas of energy, security and the protection of essential infrastructure.
Minister Sybiha also specifically referred to the protection of Ukrainian children taken from their families during the Russian aggression. According to Ukrainian authorities, around 20,000 minors have been deported or illegally transferred. He underlined the need to further raise international awareness and support all initiatives aimed at ensuring their safe return.
Statement by Secretary General Dal Mas
“Our presence in Kyiv has confirmed that CEI support for Ukraine is long-standing both politically and in practical terms. We expect next week’s Belgrade Ministerial Meeting to deliver a further condemnation of the Russian aggression and a renewed endorsement of our support efforts. In the coming months, we will continue to advance targeted projects in key sectors funded by CEI resources, particularly through the CEI Fund at the EBRD.
I warmly welcome Ukraine’s intention to assume the CEI Presidency soon. This is a politically strong signal that reflects the country’s interest in our Organisation as well as Ukraine’s proactive approach on its European path.
From our side, we reaffirm our full commitment: the CEI stands ready to accompany this path by providing technical expertise, financial instruments, multilateral cooperation and ongoing programmes in the strategic sectors identified. Ukraine can count on our full support.”
The Secretary General also met with the Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine, Carlo Formosa, to discuss synergies between Italy’s action and that of the CEI in supporting Ukraine’s civil resilience, community protection and European integration efforts.
The mission took place on the occasion of the International Conference on Food Security, in which Dal Mas participated at the invitation of the Ukrainian authorities. The event provided an opportunity to examine the impact of the conflict on food supply chains and the need to strengthen the country’s production and logistics systems.
