Diplomacy as a soft power during wartime

Open event hosted by the Institute for International Affairs at the University of Iceland, the Delegation of the European Union to Iceland and the Ukraine Project at the University of Iceland 

Wednesday 13 May from 16:00 – 17:00 at Litla-torg, University of Iceland. 

At this open event Oleksiy Gavrysh, Ambassador of Ukraine to Norway and Iceland will reflect on Ukraine’s experience of conducting diplomacy during full-scale aggression. Drawing on first-hand insights, he will discuss how the traditional understanding of diplomacy as “the art of the possible” changes under wartime conditions, evolving into a more direct, values-driven, and action-oriented practice. The Ambassador will explore the idea of what he describes as “hard diplomacy”, a form of engagement defined by clarity and courage, where aggression and war crimes are called by their proper names. 

Following the Ambassador’s address, he will be joined by other panellists to discuss the power of diplomacy, the current situation in Ukraine, European support, and pathways toward a just and lasting peace. 

Programme  

16:00 - 16:05 Opening remarks  

Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland  

16:05 - 16:20 Keynote address 

Mr. Oleksiy Gavrysh, Ambassador of Ukraine to Norway and Iceland 

16:20 - 17:00 Panel Discussion  

Clara Ganslandt, Ambassador of the European Union to Iceland, Jón Ólafsson, Professor of Cultural Studies and head of the Ukraine project at the University of Iceland and Ambassador Oleksiy Gavrysh, 

The event is open to all but kindly register here 

Refreshments will be served during the meeting. Please note that the programme will be conducted in English.