The Kyiv School of Economics was visited by the Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu. During the meeting, sharp topics were raised regarding the strengthening of Ukraine’s diplomatic, informational, and cultural policies in Spain and Latin American countries. The discussion also included KSE Rector Tymofii Brik, Deputy Director of the Ukrainian Institute Alim Aliev, and the founder of the documentary project Living the War, Volodymyr Kadygrob.

Mr. Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu emphasized that today the Ukrainian government is pursuing a very active policy of global cooperation and is writing new pages in the “book of diplomacy” through its actions. The Ambassador highlighted the importance of cultural cooperation, which should help to foster understanding and create an accurate picture of the war and Ukrainian society. He underscored that successful diplomacy requires a deep understanding of the cultures of the countries to which the policy is directed: “You need to have a deeper understanding of cultures to convey the realities of Ukraine to people on a more profound level.”

When asked, “What is the hardest thing to explain to people about the war in Ukraine?” the Ambassador shared how he talks about the challenges of explaining the war to his colleagues and friends in Spain. “The hardest part is explaining the combination of normal life and war. It’s difficult to describe a city like Kyiv during wartime,” he noted. However, the Ambassador emphasized that those who come to Ukraine often do not have enough time to fully understand the realities: “They don’t always have enough time to understand what is really happening. I always try to organize meetings with local people so that guests can better understand the situation. Simply visiting Ukraine is not enough — it’s important to communicate with Ukrainians from different regions.”

The meeting featured the launch of the first Spanish-language book from the documentary project Living the War. This work is important for understanding the war in Ukraine in Spanish-speaking countries, considering the lack of Ukrainian content. The Ambassador emphasized the significance of the book: “No one can better explain the realities of the war that Ukraine is facing than the Ukrainians themselves, and this book is a powerful tool for conveying the realities of the war to Spanish-speaking people around the world.”

The audience also posed questions regarding Spain’s current position and its diplomatic relationship with Ukraine. The discussion also highlighted the significance of ongoing support for Ukraine and strategies for effectively communicating this message to Spanish society. “Right now, Ukraine and what is happening here is very well known. Since 2022, there has been a strong movement of solidarity between Spain and Ukraine.”

The Ambassador also noted that support for Ukraine in European countries has remained steadfast: “Europe continues to support Ukraine, 80% of the population in Spain expressing sympathy for Ukraine and backing its efforts, and this remains unchanged. The perception of Ukraine has transformed, and it is now much closer to European countries than ever before.”

The event at KSE brought together representatives from the academic community, the public, media, and diplomats. It provided a valuable opportunity to understand the challenges of information and cultural policy during the war in Ukraine and to highlight the Kingdom of Spain’s clear position on supporting Ukraine.