Proceedings of the International scientific and practical conference ―Cambridge Science and Education Conference‖ (July 2-4, 2026) / Publisher website: www.naukainfo.com. - Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2026. - 81 p.

6 Table 1 TRENDS IN FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE DURING THE PERIOD 2021–2025 Year Foreign direct investment in Ukraine, million US dollars International financial support, € billion Key diplomatic factors 2021 6,687.0 9.0 Support programmes from the IMF and the World Bank, progress on integration with the EU 2022 1,152.0 133.6 Crisis diplomacy, building a coalition in support of Ukraine 2023 4,247.0 118.5 Support from partner countries within the framework of recovery initiatives (US, EU, others) 2024 3,329.0 124.8 Financial assistance agreements 2025 1,822.0 157.8 Expansion of reconstruction programmes and partnerships *Compiled by the author based on sources [3.;4] As can be seen, the sharp increase in aid to Ukraine after 2022 was made possible by the accumulated experience of economic diplomacy and the trust of international partners. Active participation in IMF and World Bank programmes and agreements with the EU ensured support for the economy and the protection of national interests during the crisis. In the current context of external challenges, the strategic strengthening of the state‘s international position requires not only participation in trade agreements and organisations, but also the active development of a system of partnerships. Taking into account Ukraine‘s experience, it can be stated that economic diplomacy depends on various factors that both constrain and reinforce it (Table 2). Table 2 STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES OF UKRAINE’S ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY (THE ‘BALANCE OF POWER’ METHOD) Forces supporting economic diplomacy (Driving forces) Restraining forces Signing of the Association Agreement with the EU and a number of free trade agreements Bureaucratic obstacles and poor coordination between the state and business Active participation in international economic organisations Political instability and vulnerability to geopolitical changes Growth in exports from certain sectors (agricultural, defence, technology) Competition in global markets and sanctions restrictions Programmes to support exports and attract investment Insufficient analytical basis for strategic decision- making Domestic initiatives on the digitalisation of economic diplomacy Insufficiently developed infrastructure for promoting national brands Ukraine‘s positive image on the international stage Corruption scandals and a lack of transparency in the use of foreign financial aid *Compiled by the author Ukraine‘s economic diplomacy stands at the crossroads of significant opportunities and substantial challenges. On the one hand, international agreements, the country‘s positive image and the growth of certain export sectors create favourable conditions for more active promotion of Ukrainian economic interests. On