Tociцький officially begins his tenure at the Council of Europe: Ukraine’s new diplomatic chapter
On Sunday, October 19, Mykola Tociцький, the former Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, officially assumed his role as Ukraine’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe, arriving in Strasbourg to commence his diplomatic duties.
This event marks a significant milestone for Ukrainian diplomacy, as the Council of Europe—established in 1949—plays a crucial role in shaping policies aimed at preventing conflicts and fostering peace and stability across the European region.
Tociцький emphasized that the main goal of this institution is to prevent new wars and support the establishment of just peace in Ukraine, especially amid ongoing conflict.
He shared on his Facebook page: “The Council of Europe is the oldest Western European institution, with extensive experience in conflict prevention and stability promotion.
I see my work as a continuation of Ukraine’s systematic efforts to protect the rights of our people and advance international mechanisms for accountability regarding aggression against Ukraine.” Prior to departing for Strasbourg, Tociцький held talks with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga, where they discussed key directions for intergovernmental cooperation, including protecting the rights of war-affected civilians, promoting reforms, establishing mechanisms for accountability, and ensuring the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children.
It is also notable that on August 20, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Tociцький as Ukraine’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe.
With a diplomatic career spanning over two decades, Tociцький previously represented Ukraine at the Council from 2010 to 2016, served as Ukraine’s ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, and held positions as Deputy Foreign Minister and Deputy Head of the President’s Office.
In September 2024, he headed the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, but in July 2025, he left this post amid governmental reforms.