The purpose of the work is to reveal cultural diplomacy in the Eastern European context in terms of the role of cultural relations in the formation and development of international relations. Research methodology consists in the use of the following methods: descriptive, analysis and synthesis, comparison, generalisation, forecasting. The use of these methods contributes to the formation of an understanding of the influence of cultural relations on the development of international relations. At the same time, the use of these methods allows to consider the topic in both theoretical and practical terms. Thus, special attention is paid to the method of forecasting, because it can be used to determine how cultural diplomacy will develop in the future, its main directions, methods and means of influencing the international audience. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that for the first time cultural diplomacy was thoroughly investigated in the aspect of the Eastern European region as a link between culture and international relations. At the same time, the understanding of cultural diplomacy as a multifunctional system that spreads and creates new cultural contexts, based on the informative, cultural and educational, meaning-creating functions of culture and art, has been improved. Conclusions. Cultural diplomacy is an important aspect of establishing international relations between states through the means of culture and art. The essence of the conducted research is determined by the fact that cultural diplomacy at the modern stage is given more and more attention. In particular, with the help of diplomacy through the means of culture, it is possible to improve the image of the state, establish cooperation with various international partners, and present one's culture in a dignified manner on the world stage. Today, it is impossible to imagine the activity of any institution without cultural diplomacy, which aims to present the state in a dignified manner on the international arena. At the same time, in the future, Ukraine and the countries of Eastern Europe will use such areas as music and cinematographic art to establish cultural ties with other states.
Keywords: current issues of cultural studies; cultural diplomacy; culture and art; current culture.