Valerii Zaluzhnyi
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
National Defence Academy of Ukraine Embassy of Ukraine in the UK
April 2, 2025
I am often asked how my background in the Armed Forces of Ukraine — having progressed through every level of command, including the role of Commander-in-Chief — informs my current work as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
The answer lies in an area that is gaining increasing strategic importance for our country: defence diplomacy.
Today, as Ukraine continues to resist full-scale aggression, effective coordination with our international partners on military assistance is not simply beneficial — it is vital. And that coordination demands deep operational understanding.
No negotiation concerning wartime support can be effective without military insight. Only those with operational experience can accurately define what calibre and quantity of ammunition are needed, which capabilities must be delivered yesterday, and which security assurances hold true on the battlefield — and which do not.
Civilians, understandably, may lack this knowledge. And so a key part of defence diplomacy is bridging that gap — translating complex military realities into shared understanding with policymakers, diplomats, and governments.
Importantly, this specialised field operates within the broader framework of traditional diplomacy, which I was already engaged in as Commander-in-Chief — including at the highest international levels.
One exemplary case of defence diplomacy in action is the joint coordination centre in Wiesbaden, Germany, where Ukrainian and partner nation military officials established a comprehensive system for identifying and addressing Ukraine’s urgent defence needs. This has enabled more responsive and targeted support from our allies.
So, does military experience help in diplomacy?
It does more than help. It is indispensable — especially for a country defending its sovereignty. It allows us to speak with clarity, urgency, and credibility — and to ensure that the voices of those on the frontlines are heard in the rooms where decisions are made.
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Comment from :
When an enemy is actively preparing for ongoing armed conflict – mobilising 160,000 men and firing over 4000 drones a month – only people with military experience see reality crystal clear.
Thank you for your service!
RuZZia in its present form must die.