DIGITAL DIPLOMACY AS A TOOL FOR RESOLVING POLITICAL CONFLICTS IN MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS
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Keywords

digital diplomacy
international negotiations
political conflicts
diplomatic influence
diplomatic network
digital communications

How to Cite

Novoskoltseva, L., Mezhenska, O., & Demidov, D. (2026). DIGITAL DIPLOMACY AS A TOOL FOR RESOLVING POLITICAL CONFLICTS IN MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS. Public Management and Policy, (2(18). https://doi.org/10.70651/3041-2498/2026.2.16

Abstract

The Relevance of the Study is driven by the growing role of digital technologies in international relations and the transformation of traditional diplomatic mechanisms toward digitalization. The purpose of the study is to assess the role of digital diplomacy in the resolution of political conflicts based on a systemic analysis of key indicators of states’ diplomatic activity. In the course of the research, comparative analysis, index method, cluster approach, and generalization method were applied, which made it possible to systematize data and identify patterns in the development of digital diplomacy. The information base of the study consists of data from international analytical centers, including the Lowy Institute, Global Diplomacy Index, Digital Diplomacy Index, Global Soft Power Index, and Freedom House. For a comprehensive assessment, a system of indicators was developed, including diplomatic influence, diplomatic network, digital activity, level of soft power, and information freedom. The results of the study show that the diplomatic influence of leading countries remains the basis of their negotiation power, with China demonstrating growth of the indicator to 97.7, while the United States shows certain volatility (82.7 in 2025). A developed diplomatic network ensures the institutional presence of states in the global environment, with China and the United States having the largest number of diplomatic missions (274 and 271, respectively). At the same time, digital diplomacy acts as a key instrument of informational influence, which is confirmed by high indicators of the United States (8.61) and India (10.00 in terms of digital outreach). It is proven that the level of soft power is a determining factor of trust, with the United States (79.5) and China (+1.6) demonstrating a strengthening of reputational influence. It is determined that the effectiveness of diplomacy depends on the integrated interaction of institutional, network, digital, and image components. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility of using the proposed model for developing digital diplomacy strategies, enhancing the effectiveness of international negotiations, and forming a positive image of the state in the global information environment.

https://doi.org/10.70651/3041-2498/2026.2.16
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Copyright (c) 2026 Liudmyla Novoskoltseva, Olena Mezhenska, Denys Demidov