ROME — Italy’s Med-Or Foundation has signed a cooperation agreement with Ukraine’s Diplomatic Academy, expanding bilateral ties in diplomatic training and international dialogue as Kyiv continues to navigate the challenges posed by Russia’s war.
Driving the news: The agreement was signed Tuesday in Rome by Marco Minniti, chairman of the Med-Or Italian Foundation and former Italian interior minister, and Ihor Ostash, director of the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, which operates under the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
- The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for joint diplomatic training initiatives and exchanges of expertise.
- It could also bring Italian and international lecturers and specialists into the Ukrainian Academy’s educational programmes.
Why it matters: The initiative adds a new dimension to Italy-Ukraine cooperation, focusing on diplomatic capacity-building and institutional ties at a time when Ukraine’s international engagement remains central to its response to Russian aggression.
The bigger picture: Med-Or has already developed partnerships in diplomatic training across Africa and the Middle East. The agreement with Kyiv extends that experience to Ukraine, creating opportunities for cooperation between diplomatic institutions and international experts.
Who was there: The signing ceremony was attended by Alfredo Mantovano, Italy’s undersecretary to the prime minister’s office and the government official responsible for overseeing the country’s intelligence services, alongside Ukraine’s ambassador to Italy, Ihor Brusylo.
The bottom line: The agreement reflects an effort to strengthen Italy-Ukraine relations beyond immediate wartime assistance, investing in diplomatic expertise and longer-term institutional cooperation.
