“Trust is not just a diplomatic tool; it is our shared shield”

When we first arrived in Berlin on a quiet Sunday in June, we were fifteen professionals representing key Ukrainian state institutions. We came from the Verkhovna Rada, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Energy, High Anti-Corruption Court, and regional administrations. Over three intense weeks, we transformed into a cohesive team. However, what truly elevated our experience was the extraordinary level of political and institutional access granted to us. HLEP 2026 was not just a training program. It functioned as a high-level strategic forum with Germany’s top policymakers and legislators.

Our journey set a serious tone from the very beginning. We stood under the Reichstag's historic glass dome and held candid discussions with Bundestag members. A major focus of our reflection became our visit to a session of the Parliamentary Defence Committee. Witnessing live discussions with conservative opposition factions present showed us the true complexity and resilience of German politics. It was a powerful lesson in democratic processes. We saw how trust and consensus are built even amid deep political divisions. This policy-level insight was complemented by our briefing at the Federal Ministry of Defence. Discussing security cooperation directly with senior military officials gave us deep, practical perspectives on future mutual support.

In Brussels, at the Permanent Representations to NATO and the EU, we went far beyond polite briefings. Engaging with senior diplomats, we discussed the operational realities of Euro-Atlantic integration. We realized that true diplomacy happens in specialized, quiet rooms. It is there that dedicated experts do the intricate, everyday work of building lasting bridges.

A unique pillar of HLEP 2026 was the highly practical crisis training. We sharpened our negotiation skills, faced tough questions in intensive media simulations with Deutsche Welle, and navigated crisis diplomacy under expert guidance. These intense sessions showed us how to communicate under pressure and mediate during global crises.

This spirit of cooperation came to life during our trip to Hamburg. Walking through the massive Airbus factory, we watched how thousands of precise parts work together to achieve flight. It became the perfect metaphor for our group. We are individual state experts from completely different fields. Yet, just like those engineering parts, we must work in perfect harmony back home to build a secure, united future for Ukraine.

We returned with more than just notebooks full of information. Spanning dozens of intensive meetings, we felt the immense depth of this program. We brought back a profound sense of shared responsibility and a strong network of European partners. We are deeply grateful to Ambassador Dr Dr Dietrich Pohl, Mr Michael Schultheiß, and the entire Diplomacy by Networking team. They created a space where true partnerships and lifelong friendships could flourish.

Andrii Honchar