On 4–5 December, the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine hosted an English-language online course, “Current Trends in Global Politics,” organized for representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and other central executive authorities.

The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy, the Estonian School of Diplomacy, and the Estonian Centre for International Development.

The course was delivered by Louis Wierenga, Lecturer in International Relations at the Baltic Defence College and Political Analyst at the University of Tartu. He has extensive experience in researching international security issues, NATO’s activities, U.S. foreign policy, and contemporary trends in the global security environment.

Over the course of two days, participants received a comprehensive overview of the key geopolitical processes shaping the modern international order. The first day focused on the strategic rivalry between the United States and China, its historical origins, and its global implications. The speaker outlined the evolution of international relations from the end of the Cold War to the present and explained how the competitive interaction of these two major powers influences security architectures across various regions.

The second day of training examined Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the role of key international actors — NATO, the European Union, and the United States — in shaping strategies to support Ukraine and strengthen Euro-Atlantic security.

The course enhanced participants’ understanding of current challenges in global politics and provided analytical tools relevant for their professional diplomatic and governmental work.