Doctor of Law, Professor of the Department of Comparative and European Law of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine Vadym Popko is confident that during the war, Ukraine was able to become a trendsetter in world diplomacy.
He told journalists about this during the Diplomacy Today: Ukraine's Role in Global Politics forum, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
"Unfortunately, Ukraine is in the realities of a full-scale war, but despite everything, it was able to make the most of this terrible event and, I am not afraid to say it, become a trendsetter in world diplomacy. We have broken absolutely all traditional and conservative approaches that have existed in diplomacy for centuries," said Vadym Popko, who acted as a moderator during a panel discussion at the forum.
He assured that it is impossible to end the war without diplomacy.
"I believe that the diplomatic path to ending the war is especially necessary at the final stage of military operations on the battlefield and will serve as a certain legitimization of the legal consolidation of our Victory. I am sure that any agreements will be put on paper and signed. Sooner or later, this will happen and the diplomatic path is parallel, useful and important," the professor assured.
The lawyer noted that Ukraine was able to speed up absolutely all processes and achieve a diplomatic result, waiting for it not for months, but only a few hours, which was previously absolutely impossible, unacceptable and incomprehensible for the vast majority of countries in the world.
"The form and content of diplomacy have changed. If we talk about the content, for example, we were able to prepare, finalize and submit an application for EU membership in almost 5 days, and this is certainly a stunning result of our diplomacy. This is one of the most striking examples," the lawyer believes.
He is confident that today Ukraine can dictate the rules of the diplomatic game.
“Today we can dictate new rules of conduct and new rules of the so-called diplomatic game at the global level. This is absolutely not about pathos, this is about building a new world order both on the territory of the EU and within the framework of the whole world,” Popko shared.
He emphasized that today it is appropriate to recall the words of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who gave a very clear signal: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.
“And I would like to recall what the head of the President’s Office, Andrii Yermak, emphasized today. He said that Ukraine is demonstrating a completely new class of diplomacy. This is true, this is a pattern. We have the right, opportunities and all the abilities to continue to establish a new legal order, including in diplomacy,” the professor added.
Popko also believes that many people today underestimate the means of soft diplomacy, which are culture, sports, and educational diplomacy.
"It is appropriate to recall Louis Armstrong, an American jazz singer, whose trips were sponsored by the U.S. leadership, thereby showing the American way and style of life. This power can work," the lawyer recalled.
Finally, Popko emphasized that during the international forum he heard confirmation that "Ukraine has all the opportunities to become a leader in world diplomacy."
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, international diplomats noted the new quality of Ukrainian diplomacy.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.