Agricultural diplomacy of Ukraine in the conditions of russian large-scale aggression (2022–2025)

Abstract

Abstract. The article comprehensively examines Ukraine’s agrarian diplomacy precisely in the context of a full-scale war
with Russia (2022–2025). For the first time, it analyzes how agrarian diplomacy responds to military challenges: from adapting
export strategies to cooperation within global initiatives (in particular, the “grain deal”). It assesses Ukraine’s new role as a
food supplier during the crisis and its diplomatic steps in international organizations (UN, FAO, WTO) to mobilize assistance
and support. The study highlights modern geopolitical trends – interaction with the EU, the USA and the global South – in the
context of agrarian diplomacy. It examines the essence of agrarian diplomacy as an instrument of economic foreign policy
and Ukraine’s role in the global agricultural market before the war and the challenges faced by the agricultural sector after
the military aggression. Particular attention is paid to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed unblocking grain exports
and supporting global food security. The position of Ukraine in international organizations (UN, FAO, WTO) is considered - in
particular, the successful review of trade policy in the WTO in 2025 and Ukraine’s initiatives in the UN on food security. The
geopolitical consequences of agricultural diplomacy in 2023-2025 are considered, in particular, the need to involve countries
of the global South in the world food agenda.
Methodology. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, systematics and a critical approach, on
general scientific and special methods of historical science. The use of the historical approach allowed us to comprehensively
consider the manifestations of Ukraine’s agrarian diplomacy in the context of the large-scale war of the Russian Federation
against Ukraine (2022–2025) and to analyze how agrarian diplomacy develops in conditions of martial law and adapts its
strategies to the challenges of the time.
Conclusions. Analysis of Ukraine’s agrarian diplomacy during the period of Russian aggression in 2022–2025 shows its
growing role as an instrument of economic strategy and national security. During martial law, agrarian diplomacy adapted to
new realities: on the one hand, protecting the interests of producers and farmers (through state support, a special VAT regime,
and negotiations), on the other, ensuring the fulfillment of Ukraine’s international obligations as a food supplier. The successes
of the «grain initiative» and the active participation of Ukrainian officials in international organizations (UN, FAO, WTO)
confirmed the impact of the agricultural sector on global food security. Geopolitical results show that the issue of agricultural
exports has become one of the key ones in negotiations with global and regional partners. In particular, deepening cooperation
with the EU and the USA contributed to the preservation of export opportunities, and dialogue with countries of the global
South has acquired national strategic importance. Further development of agrarian diplomacy will require strengthening specialized diplomatic institutions (for example, an agrarian attaché), synchronization with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, and close coordination with business to promote Ukrainian agricultural products on international markets.
Thus, Ukraine’s agrarian diplomacy in the face of large-scale aggression has become a symbol of resilience, strategic
thinking, and humanitarian responsibility. It has turned Ukrainian grain not only into an economic but also a diplomatic instrument, an instrument of soft power that saves millions of people from hunger and strengthens global solidarity with Ukraine.