Relations between Ukraine and the United Kingdom have existed in one form or another since Ukrainian independence in 1991. The two countries have ties across political, military, social and economic spheres. The UK hosts up to 200,000 Ukrainian refugees giving it the sixth largest Ukrainian migrant population in Europe.[1]
Since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian War, and especially following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations have been extremely close as the UK has provided large amounts of military, humanitarian, financial and intelligence aid to Ukraine.[2] Ukraine and the UK, along with Poland agreed to form a trilateral security pact in early 2022. During a visit to Ukraine in April, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and suggested the formation of a "European commonwealth". The proposed association would be an economic and political union that included Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Turkey.[3]
After World War II, work-permit schemes issued under the Attlee government (in office: 1945–1951) recruited Ukrainians to work in the mills of Lancashire and in the greenhouses of the Lea Valley (Middlesex/Essex). Large numbers of Ukrainians (mainly displaced persons from camps in Germany) arrived in the UK. Ukrainians were integrated into the UK as European Voluntary Workers, while Ukrainian POWs from the Polish and German armies were also demobilized and settled in the major cities of the UK.
After the division of the country into republics and regions, and later in 1991 after the collapse of the country (USSR) into several countries and their independence the UK recognized the independence of Ukraine on 31 December 1991. After Ukrainian independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991, diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the United Kingdom were established on 10 January 1992. Ukraine opened an Embassy in London in October 1992 and a Consulate General in Edinburgh in February 2002. The UK Consulate-General in Kyiv opened in November 1991 and became the Embassy in January 1992.[6]
Until 2005, the Presidents of Ukraine twice paid visits to the UK − in February 1993 and December 1995. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom visited Ukraine in April 1996. The intensity of bilateral contacts at all levels boosted during 2008–2009. In particular, the President of Ukraine Victor Yuschenko visited the UK three times: in May, October 2008 and January 2009. As the result of the visit in May 2008, the Joint Statement that officially declared the strategic nature of Ukrainian-British relations was issued.[6]
Since the establishment of bilateral relations in Ukrainian-British communication, a dispute over nuclear weapons has emerged as the cornerstone. Britain, as one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council and a member of the nuclear club, was extremely sensitive to Ukraine inheriting from the USSR the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world, far exceeding Britain's arsenal. Thus the UK was one of three main initiators for signing the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances and one of three main security guarantors of the countries that agreed to get rid of the nuclear arsenal, in particular, Ukraine. The document refers to three identical political agreements signed at the OSCE conference in Budapest, Hungary on 5 December 1994, providing security assurances by its signatories relating to the accession of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The memorandum was originally signed by three nuclear powers, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. China and France gave somewhat weaker individual assurances in separate documents.[7]
Relations between the United Kingdom and Ukraine are currently very close,[11] there are regular bilateral visits between the countries and political dialogue covers the full range of international issues.[11]
Since the beginning of the Ukrainian revolution and Pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine, the United Kingdom has actively supported Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian actions. The UK supports Ukraine in becoming a member of the EU and NATO.[11][12] In this context London has implemented a series of sanctions and restrictive measures both in unilateral and multilateral formats.
Since the beginning of 2014 the following meetings have taken place: the meeting between Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatseniuk and British Foreign Secretary William Hague during the FS visit to Ukraine (3 March), Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk's meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron on the sidelines of the EU Summit in Brussels (6 March); meeting between the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko with the UK Prime Minister David Cameron during the commemorations of 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings, as well as a number of meetings at the level of foreign ministers of the two countries (3 March, 7 May, 23 June).[6]
On 12 February 2015, the second Minsk Protocol were signed. These are their proper names, but they consist of two documents: "The Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements" and "The Declaration in Support of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Protocol, adopted on February 12, 2015" to prevent an armed conflict inside Ukraine between military personnel subordinate to the central government and citizens of the eastern part of Ukraine: Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.[13]
In November 2021, the UK and Ukraine signed a deal for the UK to enhance Ukraine's naval capabilities with new mine countermeasure vessels, missile boats, frigates and other naval equipment in response to a buildup of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border.[14]
Military cooperation and NATO
The United Kingdom and Ukraine are both part of increased military cooperation and training programs as part of a long-term NATO exercise.[15] In June 2020, NATO formally recognised Ukraine as an Enhanced Opportunities Partner, a status given to countries that have made significant contributions to NATO-led operations and missions.[16][17] British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace welcomed the decision and praised current ongoing military training programs between both countries.[18]
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK provided Ukraine substantial support in the form of defensive military aid (including around 2,000 NLAW anti-tank missile systems), humanitarian aid and retaliatory economic sanctions against Russia. Prior to this, it had trained around 22,000 Ukrainians as part of Operation Orbital. The Royal Air Force also flew surveillance aircraft to collect intelligence on Russian ground movements.[19]
On 18 March 2022, Ukrainian respondents voted the UK the third most-supportive country to Ukraine after Poland and Lithuania in a poll carried out by Rating Group.[20]
In response to the Russian military build-up proceeding the invasion, on 17 February 2022, the UK, Poland and Ukraine agreed a British–Polish–Ukrainian trilateral pact to strengthen strategic cooperation between the three countries.[21] In a poll published by Rating Group, Ukrainian respondents voted in favour of closer ties to Poland and the UK as opposed to NATO membership.[20]
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov praised the UK’s efforts to support Ukraine during an official visit to the UK on 20 March 2022. He stated: "We greatly appreciate that this year, Britain was the first to provide us with serious weapons that have increased our defence capabilities. Your role is special, and your courage and your spirit are in stark contrast with the passivity of some other countries."[22] In April that year, a road in Ukraine near Odesa was renamed by the council to 'Boris Johnson Street' (вулиця Бориса Джонсона) in honour of the UK Prime Minister's leadership in opposing the invasion.[23][24]
On 7 May 2022, Britain announced that it would contribute another 1.3 billion pounds ($1.60 billion) in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, ahead of a planned video conversation between Group of Seven leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.[25] Later in May Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Ministry of Defence and military attachés at British embassies were searching for Soviet and Russian manufactured defence equipment to buy and supply to Ukraine.[26]
On 9 July 2022, the UK began leading a multinational training programme for Ukrainian forces within the UK, under Operation Interflex.[27]
In September 2022 at the 77th UN General Debate, Prime Minister Liz Truss pledged that "we will sustain or increase our military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes",[28], wearing a half-and-half flag pin of the Union Jack and that of Ukraine. This point was also expressed by the leader of NATO[29] and the G7 collectively[30]—both groups the UK is a part of—as well as British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, adding that "when Ukraine has won this war then we will support them as they rebuild their homes, their economy, and their society."[31][32]
In December 2022, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff Lieutenant General Robert Magowan wrote that Royal Marines had supported "discreet operations" in a "hugely sensitive environment" in Ukraine, with a "high level of political and military risk". This included 350 marines from 45 Commando supporting diplomats from the British embassy and a small number of military personnel deployed in Ukraine to provide weapons and training.[33][34]The Spectator had earlier reported that it had been "widely reported that British special forces were in Ukraine training local troops".[35][36]
The UK was the first Western nation to pledge main battle tanks to Ukraine and the first to send long range missiles.[37][38] In February 2023, British foreign secretary said in a tweet that “The UK and Ukraine are the closest of friends”.[39]
In research published by the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian respondents voted the UK the best performing country in response to the Russian invasion, ahead of the US, Canada and the EU.[40]
On 12 January 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed the U.K.-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation with President Zelenskyy and pledged a further £2.5 billion in aid to the Ukrainian government, including artillery and long-range missiles, in a move widely seen as an attempt to reaffirm Britain's support for Ukraine in the face of waning international support.[41]
As of March 2024, the UK has pledged almost £12 billion of support to Ukraine, of which £7.1 billion is for military assistance. In each of the financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 £2.3 billion was provided and £2.5 billion is planned for 2024/2025. Contributions of £500 million have also been made to the International Fund for Ukraine, and some UK military equipment supplies are funded by this fund. In addition some equipment was donated from UK defence stocks.[42]
Economic relations
The United Kingdom is a major trade partner of Ukraine, it is the fifth-largest investor in Ukraine.[43]
Trade Agreements
Following Brexit, Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a continuity (based on the EU-Ukraine trade deal) free trade agreement on 8 October 2020, which entered into force on 1 January 2021.[44][45] Trade between the two countries was worth £1.4 billion in 2022.[46]
The Ukraine and the UK signed a digital trade agreement on 20 March 2023, this agreement will expand upon the existing FTA to cover digital trade between the two countries.[47][48]
On 8 February 2024, Ukraine and the UK extended tariff-free trade on majority of goods for an additional five years.[49][50]
Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 but due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was unable to take on hosting the next contest. The United Kingdom, which came second, hosted the contest on their behalf. The BBC announced that it will work closely with Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC to implement Ukrainian elements and culture into the show. The host city of Liverpool is a twin city of Odesa.[52][53]
Ukraine has formal relations with many nations and in recent decades has been establishing diplomatic relations with an expanding circle of nations. The foreign relations of Ukraine are guided by a number of key priorities outlined in the foreign policy of Ukraine.
Brazil–Russia relations have seen significant improvement in recent years, characterized by increased commercial trades and cooperation in military and technology segments. The two countries maintain important partnerships in areas such as space, military technologies, and telecommunications.
Canada–Ukraine relations are the bilateral ties between Canada and Ukraine.
Poland–Ukraine relations revived on an international basis soon after Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Various controversies from the shared history of the two countries' peoples occasionally resurface in Polish–Ukrainian relations, but they tend not to have a major influence on the bilateral relations of Poland and Ukraine.
Diplomatic relations between Australia and Ukraine were established in 1992. Ukraine has had an embassy in Canberra since March 2003 and the Australian Embassy in Kyiv was established in December 2014, however, Australia closed its embassy in Kyiv in February 2022 due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Japanese-Ukrainian relations are formal diplomatic relations between Japan and Ukraine. Japan extended diplomatic recognition to the Ukrainian state on December 28, 1991, immediately after the breakup of the Soviet Union and full diplomatic relations were established on January 26, 1992.
The Republic of India recognised Ukraine as a sovereign country in December 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and established diplomatic relations in January 1992. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv was opened in May 1992 and Ukraine opened its Mission in New Delhi in February 1993. The Consulate General of India in Odesa functioned from 1962 until its closure in March 1999. Ukraine is India's second largest trade partner after Russia in the former Soviet Union.
Serbia–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Serbia and Ukraine. Serbia, as a direct successor to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, recognized Ukraine on 15 April 1994. Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were established on 15 April 1994.
Turkey and Ukraine have a long chronology of historical, geographic, and cultural contact. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established in early 1990s when Turkey became one of the first states in the world to announce officially about recognition of sovereign Ukraine. Turkey has an embassy in Kyiv and a consulate general in Odesa. Ukraine has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate general in Istanbul. Turkey is a full member of NATO and Ukraine is a candidate. Also both countries are BLACKSEAFOR and BSEC members.
Kosovo–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008, the United Kingdom became one of the first countries to announce the official recognition of a sovereign Kosovo on 18 February 2008. The United Kingdom has had an embassy in Pristina since 5 March 2008. Kosovo has had an embassy in London since 1 October 2008. The two countries have very good and friendly relations.
Lithuania–Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Lithuania and Ukraine. Both countries are members of the Lublin Triangle, OSCE, Council of Europe, World Trade Organization and United Nations. Lithuania supports Ukraine's European Union and NATO membership. Lithuania has an embassy in Kyiv and Ukraine has an embassy in Vilnius.
Pakistan-Ukraine relations are foreign relations between Pakistan and Ukraine. Pakistan recognized Ukraine's independence in 1991. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established 1992. However, Pakistan and Ukraine relations were first established before the Ukrainian independence from Soviet Union. Since 2018, Pakistan-Ukraine relations moving from Conventional Diplomacy to Public Diplomacy. In recent years, Pakistan had developed close economic and military ties with Ukraine.
Formal diplomatic relations between Georgia and the United Kingdom can be traced back to at least 1919, during the First Georgian Republic. After the defeat of German Empire, Georgia's ally, in WWI, parts of Georgia came under British administration and British troops were also stationed in Tiflis to stave off the Bolshevik invasion. This lasted until 1920, when Britain left due to a variety of geopolitical factors.
The relationship between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland spans from the 19th century to the present day. Although the Republic of Korea gives 18 January 1949 as the date of the establishment of formal relations with the United Kingdom, diplomatic ties go back to the United Kingdom–Korea Treaty of 1883. British military participation in the Korean War during the 1950s was significant, but relations between the two countries at the time were described as "tenuous", with relatively little known about each other. Commercial and trade relationships grew rapidly during the 1970s. During the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s, Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to South Korea, which was well received at a time of crisis in the country. Today, there are strong economic and diplomatic links between the two countries.
Denmark–Ukraine relations are the current and historical relations between Denmark and Ukraine. Denmark recognized Ukraine on 31 December 1991, and diplomatic relations were established on 12 February 1992.
Qatar – United Kingdom relations are the bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, covering a wide range of issues and activities of mutual interest.
The British–Polish–Ukrainian trilateral pact is an agreement between Poland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom announced in Kyiv on 17 February 2022 by Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Ukraine, and Liz Truss, Foreign Secretary for the United Kingdom. The pact serves to improve cyber security, increase energy security, and counter disinformation. The creation of the new London-Warsaw-Kyiv axis took place against the background of Russian military buildup before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the active supply of weapons by the United Kingdom and Poland to Ukraine.
Ukraine Recovery Conference is an annual international event dedicated to discussions on the rebuilding and reconstruction priorities of Ukraine due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
New Zealand–Ukraine relations are the foreign relations between New Zealand and Ukraine. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, New Zealand formally established diplomatic relations with Ukraine in March 1992. The two countries subsequently expanded diplomatic contacts and economic relations over the next three decades. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, New Zealand supported Ukraine by condemning Russia's actions and providing diplomatic and military assistance.
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