Tomorrow we celebrate 30 years of UK-Ukraine relations. As the Cold War drew to a close, we were among the first to recognise Ukraine’s independence, heralding a new era for the country with a spirit of great optimism. As Margaret Thatcher said during her trip to Kyiv in the summer of 1990: "Britain... is here to stay." I will continue to show our steadfast support for Ukraine when I visit the country next month.

Ukraine has achieved huge advances in freedom and democracy since independence, and our relationship has never been stronger. Just a few weeks ago, I welcomed my friend and counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to London for a major bilateral summit. We agreed to work more closely to advance our interests as freedom-loving democracies, from free enterprise and security to the technologies of the future, building on the robust foundations we have laid together. 

Last year, we signed a free trade agreement, supporting economic growth for both countries. We are boosting UK support for trade in priority industries including technology, infrastructure and clean energy to £3.5 billion. These are areas where Ukraine can excel, matching its world-class agriculture sector. By making the most of the UK’s leading expertise in clean innovation, such as wind turbines and hydrogen, we can give Ukraine the opportunity to reduce its dependency on Russian fuel imports and turbocharge trade and investment.

We are proud that British experts continue to contribute to the economic, political and legal reforms that have fostered freedom in Ukraine and helped it to become a modern, democratic state. We work together on the most pressing global issues, including climate change. Ukraine’s commitments at COP26 in Glasgow showed genuine ambition. To celebrate our 30 years of relations, we will hold a joint UK-Ukraine Season of Culture in 2022, showcasing both countries’ thriving creative industries. 

We are also working together to strengthen Ukraine’s security. We have already helped Ukraine strengthen its defences with joint exercises, maritime support and by training over 20,000 members of its army (with more to come). The UK is leading by example as the biggest European spender on defence in NATO – putting our money where our mouth is in standing up for freedom and democracy.

Britain and our allies stand with Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprovoked and unexplained military build-up in and around the country. We will not accept the campaign Russia is waging to subvert its democratic neighbours. I have told the Russian Government that they need to immediately stop their destabilising activities, respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and engage in serious discussions. Talks are due to begin in January. I will continue to push Russia to reduce tensions and end their aggressive behaviour.

We have used our G7 Presidency and worked through NATO to call on Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine in accordance with its international obligations and commitments. It is time for Russia to show that it can be trusted to stick to its word. That means upholding the commitments it signed up to freely, from the OSCE Helsinki Final Act and the Minsk Protocols to the Budapest memorandum guaranteeing to "respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine."

We know this current situation can only be resolved on the basis of such agreements, and the principles they represent of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. 

Our resolve will not be shaken. The UK has made clear, alongside our NATO Allies, that any further military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake. We would meet any such step with a strong response, including coordinated sanctions to impose a severe cost on Russia’s interests and economy. 

We are vigilant about Russia’s efforts to build a pretext for conflict by falsely accusing Ukraine or NATO of provocation. This could not be further from the truth. Ukraine’s restraint has been commendable and NATO has always been a defensive alliance. We have been clear we aren’t seeking to threaten or encircle Russia. The Prime Minister and I have been unequivocal on this.

The UK and Ukraine will continue to stand together with an unwavering belief in freedom and democracy. We will face down malign acts and realise the full potential of our relationship. That is how we will ensure our two great nations thrive. 

op-ed by Liz Truss,

UK Foreign Secretary 

for European Pravda