06.08.2025
On August 5, 2025, a lecture was held by Yaroslav Demchenkov, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Oschadbank and former Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine, on the topic: “Governmental Relations in the International Space: Depth, Motivation, Trust.” The event was conducted as part of the professional course “Communications and Interaction in Energy” by Energy Club.
At the core of the lecture was a key principle: any communication must begin with a conscious “WHY.” Successful interaction with partners is based not only on technical agreements or formal meetings but primarily on a deep understanding of values and mutual trust.
“No international communication makes sense if you haven’t answered the question for yourself: why? Why do we want to start this? What do we really want to change? Why is this important specifically for us? And no less important, why might the other party need this?” emphasized Yaroslav Demchenkov.
The lecturer structured his presentation by answering three questions:
One of the central parts of the speech was the personal story of the integration of the Ukrainian energy system into the European network ENTSO-E. Specifically, the episode when, on February 24, 2022, on the eve of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine switched to “island mode” and did not return to the networks of Russia and Belarus.
“We were betting on independence from the aggressor. Morally, mentally, historically—we cannot postpone our European energy integration,” the expert shared his memories.
It was a decision that changed the course of history—thanks to years of diplomatic, technical, and political preparation. The Ukrainian side demonstrated its readiness for full energy independence. And it was thanks to professional international GR, trust, and clear communication with partners that on March 16, 2022, Ukraine and Moldova were synchronized with ENTSO-E—despite the doubts of some international partners.
The story of coalition-building diplomacy with Polish colleagues and effective international GR for Ukraine to gain associate membership in the International Energy Agency was also interesting. The lecturer explained how the “3A” method (Analysis → Alliances → Advocacy) helps to achieve international GR goals.
Yaroslav Demchenkov stressed that international Governmental Relations are not just about meetings and memorandums.
“It’s not just a meeting in Brussels or Washington… It’s informal conversations in the corridors. It’s a professional discipline that begins before the official meeting and continues long, long after it,” the speaker explained.
Key components include thorough preparation, stakeholder assessment, personal connections, follow-up, and maintaining reputational consistency.
At the end of the lecture, the speaker shared 7 practical tips on how to start effective international GR in the energy sector, including:
Yaroslav Demchenkov’s lecture was not just a masterclass in international GR, but also a source of inspiration for participants who are preparing to shape Ukraine’s new energy diplomacy. It proved that strategic communication is not about techniques, but about trust; not about agreements, but about influence; not about institutions, but about people.
About the course: The course “Communications and Interaction in Energy: Strategies for PR, Marketing, GR and Lobbying in Ukraine” from Energy Club is designed to enhance the communication capabilities of companies, promote their competitiveness, and support the sustainable development of Ukraine’s energy sector.
