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.