Ukraine Deepens Cultural Diplomacy With India Amid Ongoing War

Ukraine turns to cultural diplomacy, forging Indian ties as its war with Russia rages on.

- Murtaza Ali Khan

As the war in Ukraine rages into its fourth year, the country's most powerful weapon outside the battlefield is culture. This was the clear message from Volodymyr Sheiko, Director General of the Ukrainian Institute, during his recent visit to India.

Speaking with quiet intensity, Sheiko outlined Ukraine's deepening efforts to forge cultural connections with India, not as a temporary outreach during troubled times, but as a long-term strategic and civilizational investment.

"This visit," Sheiko said in an exclusive conversation with The Sunday Guardian, "is not just about diplomacy or visibility—it's about building bridges through art, memory, and people."

Sheiko's visit comes at a crucial time: the Ukrainian Institute is in active discussions with Indian cultural bodies to host India's first-ever Ukrainian Cultural Festival later this year. This initiative will mark a milestone in Ukraine-India relations, showcasing Ukrainian culture across multiple artistic disciplines and cities.

"India is not just another country for us. It's on our list of priority nations for cultural diplomacy," Sheiko explained. "Our ambition is to tell the Ukrainian story not only as one of war, but as one of deep cultural heritage, resilience, and creativity."

In Delhi and Mumbai, Sheiko and his team met with major institutions including the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the India Habitat Centre (IHC). Talks with other public and private institutions are also underway, though not all names were shared due to the preliminary nature of the discussions—and the political sensitivities surrounding Ukraine's global outreach.