"The woman who never sleeps": how Ukrainian ambassador to the US talks about war

The Washington Post dedicated an article to Oksana Markarova, the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States. The diplomat is often invited to social events with famous and wealthy people, where she popularises Ukraine and talks about the war with Russia.

In the United States, the Ukrainian ambassador is called "a woman who never sleeps."

"It is important that she is present at social events, because her presence shows the country's resilience", says Adrienne Arsht, a philanthropist whose birthday party Oksana Markarova attended.

Before parties, Markarova asks the hosts for a guest list, and sometimes for an advice on important people with whom she should talk.

Photo: Oksana Markarova with diplomat Denys Senyk and President of the Council, the World Affairs Councils of America, Matthew Hodges

However, she doesn't need to look for someone too often. Queues line up around her, people ask her how they can help, and they are interested in the latest news about the war.

Oksana Markarova, a former finance minister, was appointed ambassador a few weeks before the start of a full-scale war.

The diplomat communicates with a large number of people, sometimes making a speech.

"Everyone comes up to her and wants a selfie, I see it all the time", says Steve Clemons, Editor-in-Chief of the Semafor news site, which has several photos with the Ukrainian ambassador.

"Somehow she succeeds! She's everywhere, everywhere, everywhere", adds Sally Quinn, a well-known party organiser in Washington.

Photo: With state secretary of the Ministry of foreign affairs of the Republic of Estonia Jonathan Vseviev

Attending such parties in the United States is very important, because they gather a large number of influential Americans. On her blue club jacket, Oksana wears an angel pin in honour of Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia.

Markarova describes herself as a shy person. She says that sometimes she wants to turn down invitations to some lavish parties, especially at a time when Ukrainians were experiencing blackouts and suffering from Russian attacks.

"I don't usually stay for the fun part. Because I can't forget that there is a war going on", says Markarova.

According to people who spoke to The Washington Post, Markarova is smart, charming, able to listen and tell stories.

Photo: With representatives of the Romanian Defense Ministry and the Pentagon

"If you want to explain the war to people, you have to do it in a way that they understand. If I walked around wearing military camouflage and said: "This is war! This is war! Wake up!", I would be called crazy. You can't cry at a party either. People may feel uncomfortable and say I'm weak", says Oksana Markarova.

In most US cities, going to a party is considered a good pastime. However, this is not always the case in Washington, where parties are also often called "working evenings".

"Usually these meetings have a specific purpose, it's not just meaningless communication", said Marie Yovanovitch, former US ambassador to Ukraine.

Each party can have a goal: collecting information, informal negotiations, and establishing relationships.

Photo: The 2023 Major League Baseball open season

Parties in Washington are often held under the auspices of helping with some hot cause – a humanitarian disaster or illness. And now such a hot case is the war in Ukraine.

Photo from personal Facebook page belonging to Oksana Markarova.

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