“From sympathy to support”

Several days ago, Andrii Olefirov, Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland, visited one of Finland’s biggest universities – the University of Turku, as he has done for a few times already. In the University he delivered an hour-and-a-half lecture on “Ukrainian crisis in EU-Russian context” and answered the questions of students and university staff. The audience was most interested in hearing the answers about the situation in Donbas and Crimea; there were several questions concerning the situation of IDPs. There was also a question on preparations for the Eurovision international song contest, as the students wondered whether there was a threat of provocation. To the latter question Olefirov confidently replied that he saw no danger for those wishing to visit Kyiv in May, because the capital is located far enough from the front line to be safe.

The Ukrainian Ambassador is one of the most active diplomats, blogging on his personal page in social networks. A few days ago, he even became the first ambassador to lead in activity on Twitter. The ambassador is constantly publishing some interesting information about Ukrainian cultural figures on Twitter and Facebook, thus promoting Ukraine worldwide.

Mr. Ambassador, what, in your opinion, is the role of social networks in promoting a positive image of Ukraine abroad?

“Definitely, their role is very great. I have no doubt that it helps to improve the image of Ukraine in the world. Moreover, I believe that it helps me to perform my professional duties. How? For example, I know a great many journalists in almost every major city of Finland. And I met all of them through Twitter. When you read people writing about Ukraine, you know, obviously, that they are interested in Ukraine. And they happen to be the people I got acquainted with. It also helps me to publish an article at least once every two weeks, to comment on something, to announce certain events. In particular, the social media announcements attract more people to my events; today my lecture was attended by a journalist from Turun Sanomat (one of the largest newspapers of Turku and Varsinais-Suomi region). And second – the social media can help in communication with politicians. After all, it is even easier to negotiate the meeting this way.”

In your opinion, when it has become so popular?

“For the past two years I’m here, it has been important to me. When I was working in Ukraine, I could not see any possibilities for the distribution of information. When you are abroad, you are in a different situation. And social networks help to spread knowledge about Ukraine and even learn about the interests of others. Of course, there are critics. It is easiest to say that this parasite is doing nothing, just wasting time on Twitter. But we must understand that intellectual work is not only diplomacy. Social networks are primarily a source of information, a place where one can learn about the events immediately before they are published anywhere else.”

Do Finns write you on social networks, what do they ask?

“Yes, of course they write. Some are asking very frankly, is it safe to go to Kyiv for Eurovision in May. I am from Kyiv myself, so I tell them that you certainly have to go there in May just to see the blooming chestnuts. I tell them this as a joke. In general, many had expressed their sympathy at first, now they see that we are more rising on our feet, and so they express support. It’s very nice, because, you know, sometimes it takes a very long way from sympathy to support.”