I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent Ukraine in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

For Ukraine and the wider region this is without any exaggeration a crucial period of time as we have faced a brutal Russian aggression in violation of purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

As the President of Ukraine has recently said our future largely depends on whether we will choose to follow the path of peace, security and human rights, or will plunge into the turmoil of new hybrid wars, chaos and sufferings.

In this regard we sincerely appreciate the United Kingdom’s solidarity and support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine by upholding sanctions against Russia, pressuring Russian authorities to release Ukrainian citizens which they hold hostage, as well as helping promote our domestic reforms, European integration, providing vital technical, humanitarian and military assistance.

I am planning to focus on deepening the bilateral political dialogue ranging from high-level meetings to consultations between the Foreign Offices, and a parliamentary component taking a particular note of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine.

Investments and trade is a top priority for us and we will pay a greater attention to attract more British investments to Ukraine as well as facilitate Ukrainian business opportunities in the United Kingdom.

To that end Ukraine’s Government’s comprehensive reform agenda resulted in a continued deregulation of the economy, as well as the launch of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area on January 1, 2016 provide a number of new benefits for the business environment.

I am convinced that our cooperation in the banking and financial sphere, high-tech, energy, agriculture, aerospace, and pharmaceutics has ample opportunities to be further translated into action.

And of course we will not forget the social, cultural and humanitarian component in our bilateral relations.

Among my priorities will also be further cooperation with the Ukrainian community that has been active in supporting Ukraine’s Armed Forces and the internally displaced Ukrainians through different humanitarian projects and initiatives. 

Natalia Galibarenko
Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK