International Relations between Ukraine and England

History of Relations

• From the beginning of the 17th century England began to show an active interest in Ukraine.

• Relations have not been consistent due to the Russian domination of Ukraine during the USSR.

• Relations between the countries include: political, military, economic, humanitarian, cultural etc.

19th Century

• In the first half of the 19th century British connections with Ukraine were primarily Britain sending architects and engineers to Ukraine to assist in building new urban centers, buildings and other structures in Ukraine.

• Latter half of the century British investors were involved with oil resources in Ukraine as well as grain, sugar, livestock and iron ore were exported from Ukraine to Great Britain

• First large group of Ukrainians immigrated to England – After the 1946 some 33,000-36,000 Ukrainians

arrived in the UK. Man to woman ratio 1:6.

20th Century

• Relations between the two countries continued during the soviet time through economic trade between USSR-UK

• Relations between Ukraine and the UK intensified following Ukraine’s declaration of independence in August 1991. On December 31st, recognized Ukraine’s independence.

• On 10 January 1992 diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.

• Members of the British Royal Family, Government and Parliament began to make official visits to Ukraine, and Ukrainian Presidents and other dignitaries made the first reciprocal visits to the UK. Co-operation between Ukrainian and British governmental, commercial, academic, cultural and other bodies intensified.

• A new influx of migrants from Ukraine arrived in the UK.– More than 100,000 Ukrainians live in UK now.

• In 1992 members of the UK Parliament formed an All-Party Parliamentary Ukraine Group.

• Other organisations established to foster relations between Ukraine and the UK include: the British-Ukrainian Law Association (established 1993), the British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (1997), the Ukrainian-British City Club (2005), Friends of Ukraine (Scottish Foundation) (2005), and the British Ukrainian Society (2007).

Current Relations

• Great Britain is the country’s fourth largest investor in Ukraine (after Germany, Cyprus and Austria). Key sectors with British involvement include oil and gas, construction and property management, consultancy, investment banking, insurance, tobacco, vegetable oil and pharmaceuticals.

• There are over 85 companies in Ukraine with British connections.

• Relations between the United Kingdom and Ukraine are currently very close, there are regular bilateral visits between the country and political dialogue covers the full range of international issues.

• The UK supports Ukraine in becoming a member of the EU and NATO.

Did You Listen?

1. What type of relations were there between the UK and Ukraine in the first half of the 19th century?

1. The second half of the 19th century?2. Were there any political relations at this time?

2. When did the first large group of Ukrainians immigrate to the UK?

1. How many Ukrainians live in the UK currently?

3. Describe relations between the two countries during the USSR’s occupation of Ukraine.

4. When did political relations open up between the two countries?

1. Name some organizations in Ukraine right now promoting relations between the two countries.

2. Describe current economic relations between the two countries.

3. Describe the current political relations between the two countries.

4. Did you realize the close relations between the two countries before today?

5. Do you think that relations between the two countries are beneficial to Ukraine.

6. Do you believe that Ukraine should be apart of the EU? Why?

Home Work

• Research a British city to present for the class in the following class.– Choose important city to research• London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds,

Liverpool, Manchester.

FINISHED!