On Tuesday, 8 September 2026, the presentation of the bilingual publication Ukraine’s National Interests Map took place at the Media Center Directorate.
The event was organized by the Ukrainian Studies for Strategic Disquisition Non-Governmental Analytical Centre (USSD), in cooperation with the State Enterprise ‘Directorate-General for Rendering Services to Diplomatic Missions’.
This book is the first comprehensive publication in Ukraine to holistically examine Ukraine’s foreign policy strategy and its relations with key countries worldwide through the lens of Ukrainian interests. Its primary ambitious purpose is to define Ukraine’s fundamental interests at the global level and in various regions worldwide. The book is the result of the XIII Bandera Readings 2026, which brought together experts and scholars, representatives of a dozen think tanks, former and serving diplomats, and civil society advocates of Ukraine abroad. Representatives of the expert community, many of whom are direct participants in the war, are already shaping Ukrainian foreign policy and providing recommendations to state bodies.
The publication’s compilers and co-authors took part in the presentation, namely Yurii Syrotiuk, president of USSD, member of parliament of Ukraine (7th convocation), and chief sergeant of the unmanned systems battalion of the 5th Separate Assault Kyiv Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; Yurii Oliinyk, PhD in Political Science, director of USSD, and a service member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; Nataliia Butyrska, associate senior fellow at the New Europe Center and an expert on the Asia-Pacific region; Maksym Yakovliev, PhD in Political Science, dean of the Faculty of International Relations and Governance at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and director of the NaUKMA School for Policy Analysis; Yaroslav Bozhko, head of the Doctrine Center for Political Studies; Marta Oliinyk-Domochko, a senior lecturer in the Department of Interdisciplinary Education at the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Professional and Continuing Education, PhD in Political Science, and associate professor.
Representatives of the Ukrainian and foreign diplomatic corps, higher education institutions, and the expert community joined the event in person and online.
During the presentation, discussions centred on Ukraine’s interests globally and in specific regions, its foreign policy priorities, and the Ukrainian perspective on the world in the 21st century.
In his opening remarks, Yurii Oliinyk outlined the concept and structure of the book, which brings together more than 20 contributions by experts, scholars, diplomats, and service members, covering the world’s major regions and countries. He explained that the publication was intended to lay the foundations for a consistent Ukrainian foreign policy strategy for years to come: ‘Our task is to develop a sound, consistent strategy so that we ourselves, our partners, and other countries understand what Ukraine wants and what it can offer.’ He also emphasized that the book was only the beginning of a broader project, with further volumes planned.
In his address, Yurii Syrotiuk stressed the importance of clearly defining Ukraine’s national interests, which serve as the foundation for its international agency and ability to counter external threats, and considering them from a long-term perspective. The expert noted that Ukraine’s geopolitical location and its role in European security call for an independent strategic vision, and that Ukraine’s National Interests Map project has emerged as a volunteer initiative to develop it. ‘As one of Europe’s largest countries, situated at the heart of a clash of interests, Ukraine can either be a large and influential state that clearly understands its mission and has its own vision and national interests or, regrettably, will be crushed by the pressures of history and geography that come with our location,’ Mr Syrotiuk concluded.
For her part, Nataliia Butyrska focused on Ukraine’s relations with Asian democracies, particularly Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. She explained that Ukraine’s National Interests Map documents the support Ukraine has received from these countries and outlines the challenges to further cooperation, particularly amid growing ties between russia and North Korea. The expert also emphasized the need for a strategic approach to relations with Asian partners, considering their security interests and their desire to keep channels of engagement with russia open. ‘We must understand this problem and know how to address it. This, too, is part of our work as experts: to assess what we can do and look for answers,’ Nataliia Butyrska stressed.
The experts’ presentations were followed by a lively discussion, with guests in the room joining in.
