Ukraine Foundation
Inspiring Change, Driving Impact
Ellen Wasylina serves as Ukraine Foundation’s European Advisory Board Member for Education and Sustainable Diplomacy.
A respected international affairs professional and scholar, Ellen Wasylina has dedicated her career to promoting peace and security in Europe, Eurasia, and the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Sea basins -deeply influenced and inspired by her forefathers from these regions.
She is the founder of the International Geostrategic Maritime Observatory (IGMO), a Paris-based think tank, where she was leading a team of international researchers and launched the Geostrategic Maritime Review (GMR), its flagship publication.
In 2014, she published her first book, “Ukraine: Prémices de guerre froide en Europe?”, which became a bestseller. Since then, she has published numerous books in both French and English, available in libraries across 34 countries, including the Library of Congress, Yale University, Harvard, Bibliothèque nationale de France, La Sorbonne, the European Parliament, the Peace Palace Library, and the UN Geneva headquarters.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched the Mediterranean Sustainability Partners podcast, where she has been interviewing world leaders and decision-makers on the key geopolitical and geoeconomic issues of our time. The podcast, broadcast in both French and English, currently reaches audiences in 88 countries across five continents and is available on all major podcast platforms.
Her legacy achievement is the creation of the Trocadéro Forum Institute, a higher education institution based in the south of France, where she is committed to training a new generation of leaders in sustainable leadership and diplomacy. To support its research and publications, she also founded the Sustainable Diplomacy Circle and Sustainable Diplomacy, its flagship publication.
Educated in the United States and France, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from California State University, Long Beach, where she also pursued minors in French, German and Italian. She furthered her studies in Paris, earning two Master’s degrees -one in Strategy and Defense Policies and the other in Conflict Resolution.
Ellen Wasylina speaks English, French, German, and Italian fluently.
We are delighted to welcome Ellen into our European Advisory Board, and we look forward to benefiting from her significant expertise on the Black Sea region and in the fields of sustainable development and diplomacy.
Sofia: Our European Advisory Board Member, Ellen Wasylina, Contributes Her Latest Research on Green Diplomacy to the Diplomatic Academy of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the Green Transition Forum.
On 12 June 2025, our Advisory Board member and President of the Trocadéro Forum Institute, Ellen Wasylina, presented a summary of her paper “Green Diplomacy in the Black Sea Region – Steps Towards Peace, Growth and Prosperity” before the Black Sea Conference on Energy and Climate Diplomacy organised by the Diplomatic Institute of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, often referred to as the Bulgarian Diplomatic Academy. This powerful contribution to the ongoing dialogue on sustainability and green diplomacy in one of Europe’s most geopolitically sensitive regions was first published in Foreign Affairs Research Papers in May.
She then went to present some of her conclusions before the Green Transition Forum 5.0 held in Sofia on June 18.
Ellen Wasylina argues that a robust green diplomacy agenda is urgently needed—not just to meet environmental targets, but to foster peace, resilience, and inclusive growth. Drawing attention to the Black Sea’s ecological degradation and the compounded effects of regional conflict, Ellen Wasylina advocates for policies that integrate environmental governance with economic development, emphasizing cooperation among riparian countries such as Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine.
Ellen Wasylina highlights Ukraine’s critical role, both as a frontline state in the geopolitical crisis and as a key partner in shaping a sustainable and secure regional future. Ellen Wasylina calls for stronger support for Ukraine’s environmental recovery and green reconstruction efforts as integral to regional stability.
Her work highlights the EU’s push for a global, just, and inclusive green transition, suggesting that Black Sea nations adopt a multilateral, tailored approach to meet shared challenges—from decarbonization and rare earth diplomacy to blue-green economic initiatives and environmental protection frameworks.
Ellen Wasylina’s decades of experience in geopolitical strategy, sustainable development, and education underpin her call for a new generation of sustainable leaders. Ellen Wasylina’s reflections at the conference reaffirmed the need to reimagine diplomacy—through the lens of sustainability, solidarity, and regional cooperation.
FAQs
What is the focus of Ukraine Foundation’s work?
Ukraine Foundation is an independent, mission-driven research and impact organization dedicated to advancing peace, resilience, and innovation in Ukraine. Our work combines rigorous policy research with practical initiatives that strengthen Ukraine’s international partnerships, support innovation and technology, and promote cultural resilience amid the ongoing war.
How does the Foundation turn research into impact?
We believe research should lead to real-world change. Our policy programs —Ukraine in Europe, China in Ukraine, and Ukraine in the Global South— produce insights that shape international dialogue and policy. At the same time, our impact initiatives foster cooperation between governments, businesses, academia, and civil society, ensuring that ideas translate into action for Ukraine’s security, prosperity, and influence.
How can individuals and organizations engage with the Foundation?
Engagement is central to our mission. Partners, experts, and supporters can collaborate through joint research projects, public events, and strategic initiatives in innovation and culture. We also welcome contributions to our programs that amplify Ukraine’s voice globally and strengthen its resilience at home.
How can I support Ukraine Foundation?
You can support our mission by contributing financially, partnering on research or impact projects, or amplifying our work through your professional networks. Every contribution -whether funding, expertise, or visibility- helps us strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and global partnerships.
Does Ukraine Foundation accept volunteers or research fellows?
Yes. We welcome dedicated professionals, researchers, and students who want to contribute to our policy and impact agenda. Opportunities range from short-term projects and fellowships to longer-term engagement with our programs and initiatives.
How can organizations collaborate with the Foundation?
We actively partner with think tanks, universities, governments, businesses, and NGOs to co-develop research, host events, and implement projects that drive meaningful change. Organizations interested in collaboration can reach out to us directly to explore tailored partnerships.
