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
London, England, United Kingdom
Nov 11, 2025
It is said that war begins where diplomacy fails. However, when diplomacy becomes another front of war, negotiations are the only public arena for direct confrontation between Ukrainian diplomats and government officials with representatives of the Russian Federation. A confrontation in which, as on the battlefield, we are satisfied with only one obvious outcome.
Drama in diplomacy, unfortunately, is already a common phenomenon. As in battle, when repelling a frontal attack of the enemy, you need to be confident in your flanks, so in diplomacy the stability of your own position depends on the reliable support of the flanks. The drama occurs where the flank is open. Then success will depend precisely on the speed of closing this breach. From the ability and confidence of partners to unite to maintain stability.
This is a front where its own laws and rules operate, where strength is not always in truth, but rather – truth in strength. Where countries implement their foreign policy mainly through strength…
Expressed my thoughts on the power of diplomacy and Russia’s “tactics of attrition” on the negotiating front in the war against Ukraine.
An abridged version was published in the American edition New York Post – https://lnkd.in/eHekiN2K
The full version is published on Ukrainska Pravda – https://lnkd.in/eknD4kwt
English version – https://lnkd.in/ejJ4UJFY
Comment from :
Clemente Berrios, Jr. ∴ Ph.D.c, MBA (Chicago Booth),
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business – Chicago, Illinois United States Department of the Air Force
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Ambassador Zaluzhnyi’s analysis is a masterclass in strategic thought. He correctly frames diplomacy as another front in the war, not a separate peace track.
My assessment:
This diplomatic front has a unique logistical chain: its primary resource is battlefield success. Diplomatic leverage is a direct derivative of military capability.
You secure the diplomatic “flanks” not with communiqués, but with the delivery of decisive American and Allied assets. russia’s “tactic of attrition” at the negotiating table is only viable as long as they believe they can win a war of attrition on the battlefield.
The strategic counter, therefore, is to deny them that belief. We must accelerate the provision of capabilities—comprehensive air defense, long-range fires, and air superiority—that impose escalating, unsustainable costs on russian forces.
Strength on the battlefield is the only currency that gives truth its voice at the negotiating table. Diplomatic victory is downstream from military victory.
Interesting and in-depth analysis. One thought that comes to mind is that I am having a hard time considering S. Lavrov a diplomat. Maybe years ago he was one. The Soviet leaders were professionals and had their basis in an ideology. Putin, as a mafia boss is not about any ideology at all. Those who serve him are dangerous and lack all ethics and professionalism. The Ukrainian side gets that. I am not sure others including the United States do.
This is the next president of Ukraine, articulate, military experience, diplomatic skills and like. Zelensky won’t win in an election against him.
Did you have the courage to appeal to the orders of the military-political leadership to carry out criminal orders regarding the counteroffensive of 2023? Of course not, because the award would never have been given. So don’t make a saint out of yourself.
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Nov 10, 2025
These days, the Ukrainian Cultural Diplomacy Film Festival “Women and the World” is taking place in London. It’s not just about cinema.
This year’s theme highlights the crucial role of women in shaping peace, security and defense around the world.
Today, Ukraine is fighting not only for its land, but also for values common to all of Europe. For freedom, dignity, and the human right to live and create. In this struggle women are our strength. They heal, save children, restore cities. And, unfortunately, they fight and die.
Cinema has a unique ability to show humanity where the world sees only war and death. Even in the darkest times, it reminds that there is still light in people, and that is worth fighting for.
Thanks for the opportunity to join this event. The Embassy of Ukraine is proud to be its partner. I am grateful to our colleagues from the Czech Republic, who effectively supported the film festival. And, of course, the warmest words deserve the Ukrainian team of organizers “Talanted U” for their courage and inspiration.
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Thank you for your service. Thank you for always being first.
I am proud that I believed, hoped and got the result. Bow low before you. Eternal memory to the fallen Heroes.
Strength and endurance to those who remained in the ranks.
And no matter how difficult it is for us, we will certainly never be ashamed.
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I had the honor of visiting Eton College. A top educational institution in Britain, which has educated many iconic figures since 1440, including heads of the British government. Young people from all over the world study here, united by a thirst for knowledge. They study the past, are interested in the present, and are concerned about the future.
Talked about Ukraine, its struggle, and the significance of this resistance for Europe and the world. The West must do everything to ensure that Ukraine does not lose. We need a new European security architecture, technological development, and a fair peace. To prevent dictatorships from expanding their borders.
We talked about the past, but more about the future. Ukraine and all of Europe face great challenges today. But they also give us a chance to build a secure future for our children. The main thing is to realize the real risks and finally begin to respond to them jointly and effectively.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to bring these ideas to the young people of Eton College, among whom are future government officials and prime ministers. Such meetings inspire and give hope that together we will build a secure future.
“The second element of continuity is the tactic of using historical parallels and the “moral mirror”. In public statements, S. Lavrov often refers to the precedents of the colonial policy of Western states, trying to relieve Russia of the burden of responsibility for its own actions. This technique harks back to practices of Gromyk in negotiations during the Cold War, when he appealed to the problems of racial discrimination in the United States to divert attention from issues of Soviet human rights violations.”
“Accusation in a mirror” is what the putinaZi vermin still practice, because it works. You can see the technique constantly deployed by kremtrolls, their fans the magaputler shitheads and Marxist trash alike.
“Strength on the battlefield is the only currency that gives truth its voice at the negotiating table. Diplomatic victory is downstream from military victory.”
Correct. Unfortunately putler knows that too.
Prof McAndrew commented:
“This is the next president of Ukraine, articulate, military experience, diplomatic skills and like. Zelensky won’t win in an election against him.”
Zel has stated that he will stand down after the horror is over.
Zal is thought to be currently the “people’s choice”, but that can change. He has not expressed anything publicly about what his actual political leanings are.
He is very wise to stay out of politics while the war is still raging.
Poro is planning a comeback but can’t command the level of support needed. A very capable candidate would be Kira Rudik from Holos, but again the same applies.
Interesting…never thought of Kira as a contender, could be right. My only concern is that she could be weak on growing the Ukrainian military which, IMHO, a weak military aided the orcs invading our country. I need to hear her stand. She doesn’t have any military background, which doesn’t mean she can’t develop a strong understanding, but having weak politicians on military didn’t do us any good in the past