The Rest Is Politics: Leading 157. Ukraine, Diplomacy, and the Future of Europe (Dmytro Kuleba)
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Oct 12, 2025 
Dmytro Kuleba, former Foreign Minister of Ukraine, shares insights on the ongoing war and the delicate art of diplomacy. He discusses the resilience of the Ukrainian people, shaped by historical traumas, and the surprising support from countries like the Netherlands and Denmark. Kuleba contrasts his experiences with leaders such as Trump and Biden, emphasizing the complexities of U.S. domestic politics affecting aid. He also reflects on the challenges of negotiating peace and the implications of modern drone warfare for Ukraine's future in Europe.
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Formative Years Shaped Ukrainian Identity
- Kuleba grew up during the Soviet collapse and experienced shortages, repression and a cultural awakening under perestroika.
- His upbringing in a teacher and civil-servant family shaped a strong Ukrainian identity distinct from Russian narratives.
Family Deportation Under Soviet Collectivization
- Kuleba recounts his great-grandfather's refusal to join a collective farm and subsequent deportation to Siberia as punishment by the Soviet authorities.
- His grandmother and siblings were separated and raised without their parents by the Chekists, leaving lasting family trauma.
Historical Trauma Explains Resilience
- Ukraine endured collectivization, Holodomor, war and russification, making national survival unlikely yet resilient.
- Kuleba argues this brutal history explains modern Ukrainian tenacity and resistance to domination.