Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Oleksandr Shevchenko on the history of diplomacy in Independent Ukraine
March 11, 2026
The Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth hosted a meeting between Junior Diplomatic Academy students and Oleksandr Shevchenko — a Ukrainian diplomat and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (who has served in Malaysia, India, and across Asia), former senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and former Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto.
During the session, he shared insights from his career and spoke about the formation of Ukrainian diplomacy following independence. He noted that diplomacy remains one of the core instruments of a country’s foreign policy.
“Diplomacy is both an art of negotiation and a way of representing the state on the global stage,” he said.
Students explored the first years of Ukraine’s independence and the diplomatic challenges that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. They learned about the formation of Ukraine’s international relations system, the development of bilateral partnerships, and the establishment of its first diplomatic missions abroad.
A key focus was placed on nuclear disarmament. Despite inheriting the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal, Ukraine chose a non-nuclear path — a decision that had a lasting impact on its development.
The discussion also covered the Budapest Memorandum, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the intricate negotiations that accompanied these historic decisions.
Oleksandr Shevchenko highlighted that diplomacy is not just about agreements, but about responsibility for global decisions. “Every war is a failure of diplomacy,” he said, stressing the crucial role diplomacy plays in preventing conflict.
He also offered words of support and motivation to the students, noting that there are always opportunities for young people in international relations. “There is always a place for the brave,” he remarked.
Additionally, he underlined that Ukraine’s current experience — especially its military expertise — is attracting global attention. “Today, the experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is in high demand worldwide,” he emphasized.
For the students, the meeting became a valuable opportunity to learn about the history of Ukrainian diplomacy directly from an experienced diplomat, engage in discussion, and gain a clearer understanding of how international decisions influence the fate of a nation.
Held in an open and interactive format, the conversation left participants with a strong sense of connection to the legacy of Ukrainian diplomacy and a deeper appreciation of the responsibility it carries.
