Oleksandr Motsyk

Oleksandr Motsyk trained in international law and English at Kyiv State University before entering the foreign ministry in 1981. He worked in consular, international organization, and treaty affairs, then served at Ukraine's United Nations mission in New York. He later headed the ministry's legal department, represented Ukraine in Turkey and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organization, and held senior foreign ministry and presidential administration posts. Poland was his last ambassadorship before Washington. ¹

Motsyk's American posting, from 2010 to 2015, crossed the fall of President Viktor Yanukovych and the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine. At his farewell dinner, former American ambassador Roman Popadiuk credited him with organizing support through the administration, Congress, and public outreach. Motsyk himself described a difficult assignment and emphasized American support during the war. The U.S.-Ukraine Business Council recognized his work on business relations with a Distinguished Service Award. ²

In November 2016, Motsyk joined the political subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group working on the conflict in the Donbas. His participation was confirmed while the group was meeting in Minsk. ³