Ukrainian World Congress through the pages of the “Diplomatic Ukraine” scientific yearbook (2000-2024)

This article offers a comprehensive analysis of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) coverage within the scientific yearbook “Diplomatic Ukraine” from 2000 to 2024. It is based on a study of the publication’s materials, systematized chronologically and thematically, using general scientific, specialized historical research, and source analysis methods. The article analyzes the dynamics of UWC mentions in the yearbook, which reflect the increasing attention paid by scholars and diplomats to the organization’s activities, particularly after 2014 and the onset of the ‘hybrid’ phase of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The article identifies the main areas of UWC activity highlighted in the yearbook, including human rights protection, support for Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty, promotion of democratic processes, development of cultural, economic, and public diplomacy, and election monitoring in Ukraine. Particular attention is given to the UWC’s role in consolidating the Ukrainian diaspora and its interaction with Ukraine. The evolution of the UWC’s relations with Ukrainian central authorities is traced, from initial contacts to the signing of cooperation memoranda. The process of the UWC achieving international organization status, and its cooperation with international institutions such as the UN, the Council of Europe, NATO, the OSCE, and the EU, are highlighted. The UWC’s contribution to the development of various facets of Ukraine’s public diplomacy, including economic, scientific, expert, educational, cultural, digital, and sports diplomacy, is examined. Specific examples of measures and initiatives undertaken by the UWC to enhance Ukraine’s global image are provided. The yearbook’s materials are considered a valuable resource for studying the UWC’s history and its impact on Ukraine's international relations. Publications by diplomatic service veterans, containing unique insights into the Congress’s activities, are emphasized. The research findings contribute to addressing gaps in the historiography of the Ukrainian diaspora and Ukraine’s international relations, and can be used for further study of the UWC as an important actor in international politics.