Centennial partnership agreement between UK and Ukraine being prepared - UK Ambassador
Photo: UK Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Negotiations are underway between the UK and Ukraine on a new treaty on the centenary partnership. Several rounds have already taken place, UK Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris says in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
“I also want to emphasize that our perspective is about what comes after victory, looking ahead 100 years. We are currently in the process of negotiating a new treaty for a 100-year partnership,” he says.
According to him, the treaty is currently being prepared and the British have already had several rounds of talks with partners from Ukraine, with representatives of various ministries.
“We have very strong relationships in the field of security, and this agreement will further strengthen our cooperation in this area,” he adds.
Harris notes that there are many areas for cooperation between the UK and Ukraine.
“However, there are many areas for collaboration between the United Kingdom and Ukraine, not just military. We would also like to enhance our cooperation in culture, technology, education, and economic sectors. There is now almost complete tariff liberalization between the United Kingdom and Ukraine for five years. So, we need to seize this opportunity and this unique partnership between our countries for other sectors of our relations,” he adds.
The partnership between Kyiv and London
In July 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a visit to the UK. During the visit, special attention was paid to the preparation of an agreement on a centennial partnership between London and Kyiv.
Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the idea of creating a military-political alliance consisting of Ukraine, Poland, and the United Kingdom was actively discussed. In March 2022, it was supported by 85% of Ukrainians, more than joining NATO (72%).
