First Ladies Gather in London

First ladies and gentlemen from several European countries took part in a high-level diplomacy training program in London at the initiative of Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska. The program was organized by the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform in cooperation with the London School of Economics and Political Science and the LSE IDEAS Women in Diplomacy project.

Participants included the first ladies of Austria, Albania, Serbia and the Czech Republic, as well as the first gentleman of Slovenia and the wife of Luxembourg’s prime minister. Discussions focused on the use of soft power during crises, the global economy’s development amid advances in artificial intelligence, women’s representation in diplomacy and inclusive approaches to international relations.

A reception hosted by Victoria Starmer, wife of the United Kingdom’s prime minister, followed the training. Attendees discussed diplomacy and women’s leadership in global politics.

The London event was the platform’s second training program for first ladies and gentlemen. The inaugural program was held in Austria in June 2025 in cooperation with the Vienna Diplomatic Academy. Zelenska said the initiative demonstrated Ukraine’s continued engagement in international affairs and its role in shaping discussions on diplomacy and soft power.