Shaping the image of Ukraine in the modern English-language information space based on the example of periodicals

Abstract

The image of a state in the global public sphere is shaped not only through official diplomacy but also by its representation in international media. For Ukraine, since 2014 and especially after the full-scale Russian invasion on 24 February 2022, leading English-language outlets with broad global reach–BBC News and The Times in the United Kingdom, The New York Times and CNN International in the United States–have played a decisive role. Their news, analysis, and reportage have framed the understanding of the war, shaped moral narratives, and influenced political debates in allied societies and governments. The aim of this article is to trace the transformation of Ukraine’s image from a “peripheral post-Soviet state with structural problems” to an “active player in the struggle for a democratic world order.” The study combines rhetorical analysis (framing, narrative roles, appeals) with quantitative indicators (frequency, tone) and illustrates findings through specific media examples and references.