A meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine Viktor Nikitiuk: on diplomacy, challenges, and cooperation with African countries

The meeting with Ambassador Viktor Nikitiuk and Nazarii Zhuchkovskyi, Second Secretary of the Department of Africa and Regional African Organizations at Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, began in an open and engaging format. The Ambassador encouraged participants to ask questions at any time, creating a lively, interactive conversation that felt close to real diplomatic practice.

Through stories and discussion, participants gained insight into how Ukraine builds partnerships with African countries. They learned about the department’s structure, with each unit focusing on specific regions, and how cooperation works in practice—from political dialogue to economic and humanitarian initiatives. Addressing a question about the limited number of Ukrainian embassies in Africa, the Ambassador used a map to explain that diplomatic presence is expanding step by step, in line with available resources, and continues to grow.

Participants were especially engaged by the personal stories. Reflecting on his diplomatic journey, the Ambassador spoke openly about the challenges—irregular schedules, demanding environments, and security risks—while emphasizing that diplomacy is a conscious and fulfilling career choice. This became particularly powerful when he shared his experience in Afghanistan, including the 2015 rescue of a Ukrainian citizen held hostage by the Taliban. The story highlighted not only professional expertise, but also teamwork, showing how diplomacy works alongside the military and other institutions to achieve real outcomes.

The discussion also expanded to broader issues, including Africa’s growing role on the global stage, competition among major powers, and the continent’s potential as an influential international actor. At the same time, complex challenges were addressed—political instability, conflicts, information influence, and the fight against disinformation—offering participants a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the region.

At one point, the conversation became genuinely interactive when the Ambassador asked participants about Africa’s colonial history. Their thoughtful and detailed responses earned genuine praise: “Very good. It’s great to see how well-informed you are.” This moment reflected mutual respect—where knowledge became part of a real dialogue rather than a formality.

By the end of the meeting, it was clear that diplomacy is not just about countries and regions, but about people, decisions, and the readiness to act where it matters most. Conversations like this reveal not only the complexity of the profession, but also its deeper purpose.

Rita Kosyak, Head of the Project Office at the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth, noted: “We sincerely thank Ambassador Viktor Nikitiuk and Nazarii Zhuchkovskyi for the open format and meaningful discussion on Ukraine’s engagement with African countries. It was important for participants to see how diplomatic relations are built in practice—the tools involved and the challenges faced. This format provided not only knowledge, but also a clearer understanding of how diplomacy works in reality. We hope this experience will help Junior Diplomatic Academy participants better navigate international processes and confidently shape their future professional paths.”