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by Bjorn Berge (Author)
For more than four and a half years - including the pivotal period from March 2020 to September 2024 - Dmytro Kuleba served as Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, becoming one of the most recognisable voices of a country at war. From Brussels and New York to Rabat, Lusaka, Beijing and New Delhi, Kuleba criss-crossed the globe to rally political, military and economic support for Ukraine, his dynamic presence shaping international understanding of the conflict.
Drawing on his wartime speeches and exclusive access to Kuleba himself, Words of Defiance offers a rare, authoritative account of how the Russia-Ukraine war has unfolded on the world stage. Among much else, it contains valuable insights into why the Kremlin chose invasion; how previous mistakes have come back to haunt Ukraine; and the hard-won lessons of how to counter Russian propaganda and disinformation. Just as importantly, it traces the complex, contested path toward a just and lasting peace.
A compelling blend of testimony, analysis and strategic acumen, this is both a vital record and an urgent intervention - ensuring the war remains in the global consciousness and that Ukraine's sovereignty is at the heart of international debate.
Author Biography
Bjorn Berge serves as the Council of Europe's deputy secretary general, where his priorities include ensuring that the organisation's activities have maximum impact in advancing democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Previously, he was director general and secretary to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. As a Norwegian diplomat, he served as international adviser to the Prime Minister and as deputy director of the Foreign Minister's Cabinet.
He also acted as speechwriter to three Norwegian Foreign Ministers. He was a Fulbright Scholar and holds an MA in international relations from the Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University.
