On Monday, December 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine held a solemn ceremony to award the “Honorary Ambassador of Ukraine 2025” and noted the contribution of the most outstanding individuals and teams to strengthening Ukraine’s position on the world stage.

This year, the ceremony was held on the Day of Diplomatic Service Workers, emphasizing that culture is a weapon in the fight to preserve everything that makes Ukrainians Ukrainian.

The ceremony was attended by First Lady Olena Zelenska, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, diplomats, representatives of the state and public sectors, artists, opinion leaders and media professionals.

Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Ukrainian diplomacy has ensured the consolidation of the world around Ukraine. “Today, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the successes of Ukrainian diplomats who consolidated the world around Ukraine. An equally important element of this process has become cultural diplomacy, because Ukrainian culture unites the world with new meanings, a new vision that we gained while fighting for our independence,” he noted.

The Minister welcomed First Lady Olena Zelenska at the ceremony and noted that the initiatives under her patronage for many years prove that Ukraine’s public diplomacy is a model of the global level.

In his speech, Andrii Sybiha noted that Ukrainian culture is an element of our security. “The power of culture is equivalent to a weapon, therefore it is important to have a single, coherent voice abroad that will sound strong, sound globally. Ukrainian culture is our geopolitical tool,” the Minister noted.

The winners of the “Honorary Ambassador” award in 2025 are:

• Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, Honorary Ambassador in the nomination “Cultural Diplomacy”
• Oleksandr Usyk, Honorary Ambassador in the nomination “Sports Diplomacy”
• Summit of the First Ladies and Gentlemen, Honorary Ambassador in the nomination “Expert Diplomacy”
• Felicity Spector, Honorary Ambassador in the nomination “Culinary Diplomacy”
• “MHP”, Honorary Ambassador in the nomination “Economic Diplomacy”
• Team of the Faculty of Law of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Honorary Ambassadors in the nomination “Scientific and Educational Diplomacy”
• Kaylin Robertson, Honorary Ambassador in the nomination “Digital Diplomacy”
• “Day of Embroidery” – in the nomination “Cultural Heritage”
• Yuriy Shevelyov (posthumously) in the nomination "A Cause of Life"

As part of the ceremony, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also presented several special awards - special distinctions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs - for those who create weapons, effectively use them, and also turn their voice and talent into the power of international influence. The Minister's special distinctions were received by Robert "Magyar" Brovdy, the defense company Skyfall, and Jerry Heil.

The Minister also spoke about the preparation of the updated Public Diplomacy Strategy for the next five years. It is based on the necessary principles that meet the spirit of the times and the current challenges of war.

"Honorary Ambassadors" are precisely about cooperation. About all those incredible deeds that Ukrainians implement in synergy, combining their experience and knowledge, strengthening each other. It is important to tell the stories of such people and teams - we can and should be proud of them. As well as the fact that Ukraine is able to inspire the world, win and make the impossible possible," the Minister noted.

The event was supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine.