Ukrainians Abroad in the System of Ukraine’s Public Diplomacy

This article explores the application of public diplomacy tools in light of new challenges and threats, and substantiates the role of Ukrainians abroad (Ukrainians residing beyond the borders of the State) as one of its key actors. It analyzes fundamental state documents related to the development of public diplomacy. The article outlines the main objectives, mechanisms, and tools of the current model of Ukraine's public diplomacy. It concludes that the normative-legal framework needs adaptation to modern challenges and threats, and state documents require appropriate changes and additions. Based on recent international rankings, the article highlights the primary challenges Ukraine is facing today and discusses how the foreign Ukrainian community can contribute to addressing them. It outlines the critical areas where Ukrainians living abroad can engage in public diplomacy. The article concludes that the full-scale Russian invasion necessitates a shift in the priorities of public diplomacy from branding to political advocacy. The advocacy activities of Ukrainian organizations abroad, particularly those established after the full-scale Russian invasion, are analyzed. The article stresses the significance of unity and solidarity among all waves of the Ukrainian diaspora and the Ukrainians abroad as a whole, especially the newly arrived, predominantly young and highly educated Ukrainians who quickly integrate into the societies of their host countries and can subsequently actively promote Ukrainian interests at various levels. The article emphasizes that Ukrainians abroad have the potential to become a key actor in the implementation of Ukraine's public diplomacy and proposes specific mechanisms and measures of state policy in this direction.