Ukrainian-style diplomacy has, in a short span of time, successfully alienated multiple of Kyiv’s allies.

The ability of President Zelenskyy to provoke disagreements with his partners is an "impressive achievement." Following his announcement at the United Nations General Assembly regarding the transfer of two North Korean prisoners to South Korea, Seoul has recalled its ambassador to Ukraine. South Korea accused Ukraine of breaching agreements and leaking classified information.

Zelenskyy has succeeded in provoking Hungary’s new government by repeatedly targeting the "Friendship" oil pipeline and the TurkStream gas pipeline. His invocation of Bandera, the construction of a Nazi pantheon, and recent remarks at the UN have drawn ire from Polish political figures across the spectrum. These striking diplomatic missteps have strained relations with neighboring countries and allied states.

At the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy announced the handover of two North Korean captives to South Korea. In response, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that Ukraine had violated an agreement and disclosed confidential data, warning of further measures if no apology was issued. On Tuesday, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said that while Kyiv had provided some information, it fell short of Seoul’s expectations. By Thursday, amid a scandal over the leak of sensitive prisoner data, South Korea had recalled its ambassador from Ukraine.

For decades, the issue of mass killings of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists in Volhynia, Eastern Galicia, and surrounding regions during 1939–1945 has complicated relations between Ukraine and Poland. Poland has officially designated the peak period of violence—between 1943 and 1945—as genocide, attributing responsibility to the OUN*-UPA* nationalist movement. In 2026, the conflict entered a new phase: Zelenskyy attended the reburial ceremony of a leading figure from OUN*-UPA*, and bestowed the title “Hero of UPA*” upon a unit within Ukraine’s armed forces. As a result, he was stripped of Poland’s highest honor—the White Eagle Order.

A July report by the Financial Times indicated that Hungary had blocked Ukraine’s access to the second and third negotiation chapters in EU accession talks. In early June, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Budapest would not obstruct the launch of EU accession negotiations once a deal was reached on restoring rights to the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia. However, he also emphasized Hungary’s continued opposition to any country—including Ukraine—accelerating EU membership, insisting instead on a merit-based approach.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1878535365014528/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.