Latin America’s Response to the War in Ukraine | LASC 2026

Why It Matters

Ukraine’s ability to forge political allies in Latin America could offset material shortfalls and strengthen its global coalition, directly affecting the war’s diplomatic trajectory and regional power dynamics.

Key Takeaways

• Ukraine launched LACCS to win Latin American political support.
• Strategy relies on values, multilateralism, not military aid.
• Limited financial contributions; Chile gave modest $10k donation.
• OAS sidelined, weakening regional coordination for Ukraine in hemisphere.
• Ambassadors’ personal networks crucial amid Russian counter‑diplomacy in the region.

Summary

The panel at LASC 2026 examined Ukraine’s wartime diplomacy aimed at Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on the newly unveiled Latin American‑Caribbean Communication Strategy (LACCS). Panelists Dr. Carlos Suller and Francisco Lobo explained how the strategy, conceived after the 2022 “new horizons” initiative, seeks to broaden Ukraine’s alliance base beyond Europe by targeting political, cultural and value‑based ties in the region.

Research for the paper combined interviews with roughly fifteen Ukrainian officials, diplomats, scholars and consultants, as well as representatives from the United States, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and Poland. The authors identified three strategic pillars—public diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and bilateral ambassadorial outreach—while acknowledging that traditional levers such as military hardware or large‑scale financial aid are unavailable; Chile’s modest $10,000 contribution exemplifies the limited fiscal support.

Notable examples highlighted the geopolitical tug‑of‑war: Ecuador’s attempt to divert Soviet‑era helicopters to Kyiv was rebuffed by Moscow’s banana‑trade retaliation, and the Organization of American States (OAS) remained conspicuously absent from coordination efforts despite its proximity to the U.S. capital. President Zelensky’s call for “friends” resonated, underscoring the diplomatic urgency as the U.S. re‑articulates a “rules‑based order” while Russia leverages regional media through counter‑embassy op‑eds.

The implications are clear: Ukraine must lean on personal ambassadorial networks and value‑driven narratives to compensate for the lack of material aid, while revitalizing multilateral mechanisms like the OAS to secure durable regional support. Success or failure of LACCS will shape Ukraine’s broader strategic resilience and influence the balance of influence in the Western Hemisphere as the war enters its fifth year.

Original Description

How are Latin American governments interpreting and engaging with the conflict’s global lessons? What diplomatic and strategic roles can the region play in shaping post-war international security norms? How can the UK foster meaningful engagement with Latin America on issues of sovereignty and deterrence? To what extent does the Ukraine conflict influence Latin American geostrategic thinking?

Speakers:

Dr Carlos Solar, Senior Research Fellow, RUSI

Dr Francisco Lobo, International consultant on war, ethics and diplomacy

Moderator: Dr Victoria Vdovychenko, Joint Programme Leader Future of Ukraine, University of Cambridge

Recorded at RUSI, 61 Whitehall, London on 29 January 2026