Interview with Valeriy Kopiyka, Director of the Institute of International Relations, to International Policy Digest

Valeriy Kopiika, Director of the Institute of International Relations and Diplomacy, gave an interview to International Policy Digest, in which he spoke about his experience as a military translator in Congo and how this experience shaped his understanding of diplomacy and crisis management. He emphasised that working in a conflict and multinational environment laid the foundation for the approaches that are now used in training students at the Institute.

The conversation focused on training future Ukrainian diplomats during a full-scale war. Despite blackouts, constant threats and the need for quick decisions, the Institute managed to maintain high academic standards and continuity of work. The curricula were updated to reflect current challenges, with enhanced modules on international security, strategic communications, EU law and military diplomacy.

The Director of the IIMS emphasised that the Institute had not only adapted to wartime conditions but had also significantly expanded its international cooperation. Partnerships with universities in Europe, North America and Asia are being developed, giving students access to internships, joint research and academic mobility programmes.

A separate part of the interview was devoted to the use of artificial intelligence in university education. The Institute's position is not to ban such tools, but to foster a culture of responsible and critical use. This allows students to work with innovative technologies while maintaining academic integrity.

At the end, the director outlined his vision of Ukraine's path to the European Union and the key elements of modern military diplomacy. In his opinion, Ukraine is strengthening its international subjectivity, and the diplomatic school must prepare specialists capable of working in rapidly changing conditions.