Political

Is the new Ministry of Ukrainian Unity able to unite millions of Ukrainians abroad?

In today’s world, where borders are blurring, and millions of Ukrainians have found themselves outside their homeland due to the war, the issue of national unity has long since become critically important. Ukraine is included in the list of countries with the largest number of refugees in the world. Compared to other countries, the Ukrainian crisis is one of the largest in the context of the number of people who were forced to leave their homes due to the war. In the conditions of unprecedented challenges facing Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of the Ministry of Ukrainian Unity. This institution is designed to unite Ukrainian communities scattered around the world and strengthen their ties with the homeland, that is, to create a mechanism that can protect Ukrainian national identity from external threats. But will she be able to complete this difficult mission?

New initiative of the President of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky announced the creation of a new Ministry of Ukrainian Unity, which will be focused on supporting Ukrainians living abroad. He announced this initiative during a meeting with the heads of foreign diplomatic institutions of Ukraine, the topic of which was “Military diplomacy: stability, weapons, victory.”

The President noted that along with the usual work performed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, an agreement was reached with the Prime Minister on preparations for the launch of a new institution that should ensure sufficient strength of the global Ukrainian unity. Considering that millions of Ukrainians live in other countries, the new ministry will be responsible for their relations and interaction with Ukraine, as well as for the protection of our common interests as a nation.

According to the president, in fact, this new institution should become “the ministry of Ukrainian unity and countering Russian influence on Ukrainians.” He noted that Russia actively uses huge propaganda resources outside its borders, aimed, in particular, at Ukrainians. The President also noted that many aspects of the spiritual independence of the Ukrainian people still remain unsettled, and Russia uses its church structures for agent activities and fomenting internal divisions among Ukrainians.

Zelensky also emphasized the need for greater state activity in matters related to the educational, cultural and informational needs of Ukrainians in other countries. He emphasized that Ukraine has never had such a large part of its people abroad before, and believes that only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is not able to cope with this situation. Since we are talking about millions of Ukrainians, Zelenskyy considers it wrong to simply expect the implementation of relevant tasks from various ministries and departments. We need an organization that will direct other state institutions to achieve the defined goals. The president also added that all the details regarding the new institution will be presented in the near future.

Why Unification Matters: Lessons from History

Over the centuries, the Ukrainian people repeatedly faced challenges that threatened their unity and national identity. The history of Ukraine is full of examples when external forces tried to weaken the country by destroying its cultural and social foundations. At the same time, it is also the story of the struggle for unification and preservation of Ukrainian identity.

External forces often used the principle of “divide and rule” in an attempt to sow enmity among Ukrainians. Thus, during the Polish rule in the western lands, and later as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ukrainians were artificially divided into various social and religious groups. This made it possible to keep them under control and prevented the formation of a unified national movement. The first large-scale use of the “divide and rule” policy against Ukrainians was applied by the Polish rulers during the rule of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on Ukrainian lands in the 16th-18th centuries. The Polish nobility and the royal administration actively divided Ukrainians on the basis of social and religious characteristics.

On the one hand, they tried to assimilate the Ukrainian elite – princes and chieftains – by granting them privileges and including them in the composition of the Polish nobility, but with the mandatory condition of conversion to Catholicism. On the other hand, the Ukrainian peasantry remained in serfdom, which reduced the possibility of social advancement. Such a gap between the elite and the masses created significant internal conflicts that hindered the formation of national unity.

The religious issue has also become a powerful tool of division. The Union of 1596, which led to the creation of the Greek Catholic Church, caused a religious split among Ukrainians. The Poles used this conflict to incite animosity between the Orthodox and the Uniates, which again worked to their advantage in controlling the region.

In the 19th century, when a large part of Ukrainian lands came under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the policy of “divide and conquer” took on new forms. The Austrian authorities viewed Ukrainians as a convenient tool for countering Polish influence in Galicia. At the same time, they tried to prevent the unification of the Ukrainian movement on the basis of a common national identity. One of the methods of division was maintaining differences between the Ukrainians of Halychyna and Bukovyna. In both regions, there were differences in culture, education, and religion, which the Austrian authorities actively used in order to keep these territories under their control. For example, the Ukrainians of Bukovyna were granted certain privileges to prevent their unification with the Ukrainians of Galicia, where the Poles had considerable influence.

Ukrainians living under the rule of the Russian Empire were also subjected to a similar policy. The Russian authorities considered Ukrainians as “Little Russians” — part of the “single Russian people” and tried to divide Ukrainian society on the basis of linguistic and ethnic characteristics.

However, today’s challenges are in many ways reminiscent of past attempts to destroy Ukrainian identity. Propaganda, information wars, attempts to split society on the basis of linguistic, ideological, and religious differences are all tools that have already been used in the past. The division of Ukrainians into those who fight and those who do not fight, who left the country, and who stayed has now been added to them.

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In this context, the creation of the Ministry of Ukrainian Unity can unite society and become another step in the long struggle for national unity. Provided that the government can take into account the lessons of history, it will be able to use this body to strengthen ties between Ukrainians around the world. History teaches us that uniting Ukrainians around common values ​​and cultural traditions is a key factor for the preservation of our nation. Now is the time to act on these lessons to secure Ukraine’s future

Comparison with other countries

The creation of a new ministry, initiated by Volodymyr Zelenskyi, is not a unique idea on the world stage. Many countries facing similar challenges have long since implemented similar institutions to strengthen ties with their diasporas and support national unity. One of the best-known examples is the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs in Israel, which was created to foster ties between Israel and Jewish communities around the world. It deals with issues of Jewish education, culture, the fight against anti-Semitism, and also promotes the repatriation of Jews to Israel.

A feature of the work of this ministry is its active cooperation with communities abroad in various spheres, including economic, cultural and social. The ministry also coordinates the efforts of other government agencies to ensure support for Jewish communities around the world. This experience can be useful for Ukraine, given that millions of Ukrainians live outside their homeland.

Armenia, as a country with one of the largest diasporas in the world, also has its own Ministry of Diaspora. This ministry was created to strengthen ties with Armenians living outside the country. It deals with issues of preservation of Armenian culture, language, education and support of national identity. The Ministry of Diaspora of Armenia actively cooperates with Armenian communities in various countries, organizes cultural events, supports educational programs and promotes the economic development of the country through the involvement of the diaspora in investment projects. This experience is indicative for Ukraine, where a large number of citizens live abroad and can be involved in the reconstruction of the country.

In Greece, the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad deals with the issue of support and coordination of efforts for Greeks living outside the country. This institution functions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece and is responsible for maintaining relations with Greek communities around the world. The General Secretariat deals with the protection of the rights of Greeks abroad, the preservation of Greek culture and traditions, and also promotes the participation of the diaspora in the political and economic life of Greece. The peculiarity of the work of this body is that it actively involves representatives of the diaspora in discussing and solving important issues for the country, which can be a useful experience for Ukraine.

India also has a large diaspora, and to coordinate efforts in this regard, a special section for Indian diaspora affairs has been established within the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. This department is concerned with protecting the rights of Indians abroad, supporting their cultural and educational needs, and promoting economic cooperation between India and the Indian diaspora. One of the main tasks of this department is to provide Indians abroad with the opportunity to keep in touch with their homeland, to participate in its life, and to contribute to the development of India through investment and other forms of cooperation. This approach can also be useful for Ukraine, given the large scale of the Ukrainian diaspora.

Another example is the Ministry of National Unity in Canada, which deals with multiculturalism and ensuring equal treatment of all ethnic groups. Although Canada does not have such a large number of refugees as Ukraine, the experience of this country shows that national unity can be achieved through the active participation of all communities in political and social life.

France, in turn, has a Ministry of National Identity, which arose in the context of growing immigration and the need to integrate new citizens. Despite some controversy regarding the activities of this ministry, France successfully uses it to strengthen national unity and support cultural diversity.

Ireland, a country with a large diaspora that outnumbers the population of Ireland itself, has created a special Diaspora Affairs Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs. This department deals with maintaining links with Irish people abroad, facilitating their return to Ireland if they wish, and working to preserve Irish culture and language among Irish communities around the world.

Prospects and risks

More than 6.5 million Ukrainians live abroad, so their involvement in the processes of nation building is an important aspect of this initiative. Finally, Ukrainian refugees will be able to see that the state needs them. Currently, they face only severe restrictions and sanctions related to mobilization.

Therefore, the announced ministry aims to become a tool for creating a more integrated society. Potentially, this initiative can have several positive effects:

  1. Strengthening of national identity. The ministry can become a platform for the development of national values ​​and identity, which are not based on narrow ideological or linguistic characteristics, but emphasize the common experience and goals of all Ukrainians.
  2. Involvement of the diaspora. Ukrainians abroad, often feeling cut off from state processes, can get new opportunities to participate in national life. This will help not only to strengthen ties with the homeland, but also to involve them in the economic and social development of the country.
  3. Social integration. Linguistic, religious and ideological differences can become a platform for the development of social initiatives that unite people of different origins into a single society.
  4. Support of vulnerable population groups. The ministry can focus on supporting those most affected by conflict, including displaced persons, women and children, which will add significant weight to social cohesion.
  5. Coordination of anti-propaganda efforts. Another important aspect of the work of the new ministry will be the coordination of efforts of various state bodies and organizations in the fight against Russian propaganda. The Ministry will be able to combine the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information Policy, national and international media organizations, public organizations, as well as the Ukrainian diaspora to create a unified strategy to counter disinformation. Thanks to this, the newly created body will be able to more effectively protect Ukrainians from manipulation and misinformation, as well as strengthen their support for Ukraine in the struggle for independence and sovereignty.
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The initiative to create the Ministry of Ukrainian Unity is certainly an ambitious and important step to strengthen ties between Ukrainians living abroad and their homeland. However, like any large-scale state initiative, it is not without challenges and risks that can prevent its successful implementation:

  1. Political manipulation

One of the most serious risks associated with the creation of a new ministry is the possibility of political manipulation. In a situation where Ukrainian society is so polarized, there is a danger that the ministry could become a tool in the hands of certain political forces to settle accounts with opponents or to achieve their own political goals. If citizens or the diaspora begin to perceive the initiative as a means to control various groups or impose certain political views, this can lead to serious mistrust of the state.

Political manipulation can manifest itself in the deliberate use of the ministry to promote narrow party interests or to suppress the opposition. This, in turn, can cause internal conflicts and even intensify existing differences among Ukrainians both in Ukraine and abroad. As a result, instead of fostering unity, the ministry risks becoming a source of division, contrary to its original purpose.

  1. Bureaucratization

Bureaucratization of the work of the ministry can be another serious risk. In government structures, the problem often arises when processes and procedures become an end in themselves, and real activities take a back seat. If the ministry becomes too bureaucratic, it could significantly reduce its ability to respond quickly and effectively to the challenges facing the Ukrainian diaspora.

Bureaucratization can lead to slow and resource-intensive initiatives, and results that do not meet expectations. In addition, the uncertainty of functions and responsibilities can contribute to the emergence of internal conflicts in the structure of the ministry, which will further complicate its work. This can lead to a loss of trust on the part of Ukrainians, both inside the country and abroad.

  1. Information struggle

In the conditions of a hybrid war with Russia, any efforts aimed at strengthening national unity may become the object of informational attacks. Russian propaganda resources actively use disinformation to undermine trust in Ukrainian institutions and discredit their initiatives. In the case of the new ministry, these attacks may be aimed at showing it as a tool for “re-educating” citizens or as an organization that imposes certain political ideas.

If such narratives are successfully promoted in the information space, it can cause significant opposition from various groups of Ukrainians, both in Ukraine and abroad. In addition, the spread of misinformation can contribute to the deepening of divisions between different regions and the diaspora, which will further complicate the task of strengthening unity.

  1. Perception by the diaspora

The Ukrainian diaspora, which numbers millions of people in different parts of the world, is extremely diverse and multifaceted. This means that the approach to working with it should be delicate and attentive to the needs of each community. There is a risk that the creation of a new ministry may be perceived by Ukrainians abroad as an attempt by the state to control their activities or impose certain political views.

If the ministry is unable to effectively communicate its goals and means, it may lead to increased alienation of the diaspora from Ukraine. The lack of a clear and understandable dialogue with Ukrainian communities abroad can deepen the gap between them and the Ukrainian government, which contradicts the main goal of the ministry – the unification of Ukrainians all over the world.

  1. Financial resources

We cannot ignore the fact that the creation of a new ministry will be an additional financial burden for the state. Ukraine is already operating under conditions of a significant budget deficit caused by the war, economic difficulties and the need to finance defense and social programs. Adding a new ministry to the state structure will require substantial financial infusions for its creation, operation and support. These costs will include maintaining staff, renting or building offices, technical support, and financing programs and projects that will be implemented by the new institution. In conditions where every hryvnia must be rationally used to ensure the priority needs of the state, such expenses may raise questions about the expediency and priority of creating a new body.

In addition, given the limited resources, there is a risk that insufficient funding may lead to low efficiency of the ministry. If it is unable to obtain sufficient resources to carry out its tasks, this may lead to a situation where the ministry will exist nominally, but will not be able to perform its functions at the proper level. In this case, the creation of the ministry may be perceived as an unnecessary bureaucratic step, which will further deepen mistrust of the government and cause criticism from the public

Therefore, the creation of the Ministry of Ukrainian Unity can become an important and timely step for strengthening internal unity and involving Ukrainians abroad in national processes. Despite the possible risks, the successful implementation of this initiative can have a significant positive impact on the country’s development. For this, it is necessary to avoid political manipulations, take into account all risks, ensure the transparency and efficiency of the work of the ministry, as well as take into account historical and foreign experience in similar matters.

In Ukraine, the time has long come to abandon divisions and unite into a single whole, because our strength lies in unity, not in differences.

Oksana Ishchenko

 

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