Representatives of the IIR took part in the presentation of the book by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador, President of the Ukrainian Foreign Policy Association, Volodymyr Khandohiy

At the invitation of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador and President of the Ukrainian Foreign Policy Association, Volodymyr Khandohiy, Associate Professors of the Department of International Organizations and Diplomatic Service Roman Petyur and Nataliia Rylach, Bachelor’s students, Master’s students of the educational program Diplomacy and International Cooperation, as well as participants of the School for Young Ukrainian Diplomats took part in the presentation of the Ambassador’s new book Diplomatic Stories 2: First-Person, Uncensored.

“Diplomacy is the art of making the impossible possible” — this principle of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand guided the author in his work.

The new book continues the Diplomatic Stories published in 2017, while offering an in-depth narrative of the institutional memory of Ukrainian diplomacy — from the era of Yaroslav the Wise and Bohdan Khmelnytsky to the times of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, the Ukrainian SSR, and the restoration of independence. Ambassador Khandohiy personally participated in the difficult transition from the diplomacy of a “phantom state” to the formation of a genuine, independent diplomatic service of Ukraine. This is why the book presents a vivid first-person account — sincere and uncensored. The memoirs appear as a sketch of Ukraine’s portrait across different historical periods, complemented by the author’s personal reflections.

In a time when our country is resisting Russian aggression, such reflections gain special significance, offering deeper understanding of the internal and external factors shaping historical processes.

The event was moderated by Pavlo Hai-Nyzhnyk, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Leading Research Fellow at the I. F. Kuras Institute of Political and Ethno-National Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, political scientist, and public figure. Among the attendees were Ukrainian diplomats, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors, scholars, journalists, representatives of higher education institutions, and friends of the author.

Students and guests showed great interest in the opportunity to speak with Volodymyr Dmytrovych, ask questions, and hear professional advice regarding future diplomatic careers. Equally engaging was the conversation with the Ambassador’s wife, the respected Nataliia Borysivna, who shared fascinating facts about working and living in the countries of his diplomatic postings.

The book Diplomatic Stories 2 will serve as an important literary source and practical guide for students, future diplomats, and everyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the development of Ukrainian diplomacy.

Photos: “Kyiv-Inform”, “Samit-Knyha”, participants’ personal accounts.