Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denies info that 40%-60% of its diplomats haven't returned to Ukraine

MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has denied allegations that 40%-60% of Ukrainian diplomats have not returned to their home country.

"The Zerkalo Nedeli outlet published an article that 40%-60% of Ukrainian diplomats allegedly have not returned to Ukraine. This information is completely not true. In actual fact, the situation is the following: since February 24, 2022, 18 staff diplomats and 15 employees who worked under contract resigned from the Foreign Ministry upon completion of their tenure abroad and have not returned to Ukraine. The latter category was hired to fill positions abroad for a fixed period without any obligation of subsequent employment at the Foreign Ministry. Therefore, if we speak about the diplomatic service system, it is 18 people," the Foreign Ministry told Ukrainian media.

On the whole, the maximum size of staff at Ukraine's diplomatic missions abroad is 1,485, people, the ministry said.

"The number of those who have not returned is actually 1%," it said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba pursues a strict position that all diplomats without any exception must abide by the Foreign Ministry's orders on returning to Ukraine upon completion of their tenure abroad, it said.