Analysis: Michał Szcześniewski; data collection: Michał Szcześniewski, Dominik Wereszko graphic design: Natalia Matiaszczyk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conducted 92 foreign visits between 2023 and 2025, traveling to 36 countries across five continents. This intensive diplomatic schedule demonstrates the Ukrainian president’s determined efforts to build and maintain international support in the face of the ongoing war with Russia.
Main destinations and focus areas
The vast majority of visits (59) were to countries in Europe, underscoring the strategic importance of continental allies. The most frequently visited countries included:
- Germany (9 visits),
- France (8 visits),
- United States (6 visits),
- United Kingdom (6 visits),
- Poland (5 visits),
- Belgium (5 visits).
Beyond Europe, Zelensky focused his diplomatic efforts primarily on:
- The Middle East and North Africa (7 visits, mainly to Saudi Arabia and Turkey),
- North America (9 visits to the US and Canada),
- East Asia (3 visits).
Key objectives
Analysis shows that the Ukrainian president’s main diplomatic objectives included:
- Bilateral agreements – Securing formal security agreements with key allies, including the US, UK, Germany, France, and Canada
- International summit participation – Maintaining a consistent presence at NATO, G7, European Council, and UN summits
- Coalition building – Orchestrating a series of regional meetings, including Nordic-Ukrainian summits and European Political Community gatherings
- Military support acquisition – Conducting visits to military bases and attending Ramstein Contact Group meetings to secure defense assistance
- Peace initiative promotion – Advocating for Ukraine’s “Peace Formula” among world leaders
Strategic interactions
Zelensky engaged with a broad spectrum of global leaders, including:
- Presidents and Prime Ministers of NATO and EU countries (Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer),
- US leadership across administrations (Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, JD Vance),
- Middle Eastern leaders (Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Erdoğan),
- NATO and UN Secretaries General (Mark Rutte, António Guterres),
- Religious figures (Pope Francis).
Diplomatic acceleration
The data reveals a clear intensification of Zelensky’s diplomacy in 2024, with 41 foreign visits compared to 37 in 2023. In just the first quarter of 2025, he had already conducted 14 foreign visits. This increased diplomatic tempo coincided with critical junctures in the conflict and shifts in the international landscape, particularly surrounding the US presidential election.
Zelensky’s diplomatic campaign reflects Ukraine’s multifaceted strategy to sustain international support, pursue conflict resolution pathways, and secure the country’s future through a framework of bilateral agreements and multilateral alliances.
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