2021 Begins with Unending Support for Ukraine

The New Year is beginning on a high note for Ukraine as Kyiv charts its sovereign course amid economic obstacles and Russia’s imperial war in Donbas. The international community continues to stand up in support of Ukraine economically and militarily and Ukrainians in Ukraine and the Diaspora should cheer.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, in one of his first telephone conversations with a foreign official on February 1, assured Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of America’s ongoing support.

According to the official readout, Blinken emphasized strong bipartisan support for Ukraine and the priority the United States places on Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.  He pledged to continue robust US economic and military assistance to Ukraine.

Blinken highlighted the importance of Ukraine maintaining progress on fighting corruption and implementing rule of law and economic reforms that will strengthen Ukraine’s institutions and ensure a bright and prosperous future for all Ukrainians.  He and Kuleba also discussed Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19, and to achieve a diplomatic resolution to Russia’s aggression in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

On a broader scale, the G7 Ambassadors’ Support Group announced on January 11 that they will continue to support Ukraine in carrying out reforms that stimulate economic development for the benefit of all Ukrainians.

“What will the G7 do under the UK presidency? As we have since 2015, we will continue to engage with the Ukrainian authorities, experts and civil society to support Ukraine in delivering reforms which boost economic development for the benefit of all Ukrainians. This will include improvement of the investment climate, promoting equitable development, eliminating corruption, and strengthening the rule of law and transparency. We will share our full list of priorities later this month – stay tuned!” the UK Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv said on Twitter.

The full list of priorities of the group of ambassadors of the G7 countries to support Ukraine was promised to be announced later that month.

The United Kingdom expressed on January 11 its support for the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will continue to do so in the future.

This British Embassy in Ukraine stated this on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on January 10.

“Today marks the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and Ukraine. The UK strongly supports Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity and will continue to do so in the future,” the embassy posted on Twitter.

The diplomats also recalled that Ukraine and the UK signed a “historic” strategic partnership agreement last year, which opened new opportunities for deepening British-Ukrainian relations and cooperation.

It is important to remember that Ukraine relies on the free world’s support against Russia since Moscow illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and has been waging the Russo-Ukraine War of 2014-21 – the longest war in Europe since the Second World War. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are the only soldiers – both servicemen and women – with actual combat experience in successfully fighting the Russian war machine.

Ukrainians in Ukraine and the diaspora should not only applaud this but especially those in the free world, with access to their elected officials, should maintain pressure so that support does not evaporate.