Leigh Turner was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ukraine, replacing Tim Barrow on June 18.
Tim Barrow. He presented his credentials to President Viktor Yushchenko on June 18. A Foreign Service veteran, his postings include tours in Vienna, Moscow and Berlin. Here are excerpts from his interview with the Kyiv Post’s Jonathan Holmberg on June 25.
KP: Thank you, your Excellency, welcome to Kyiv. What are your initial impressions of Kyiv?
LT: I have been here little over a week. I was lucky enough to arrive on the Saturday [June 14] that Paul McCartney gave his concert. It seems to me that Kyiv has a huge amount to offer. I have been in a number of major capitals in the past, and I must say Kyiv made a fantastic impression when I arrived, especially when the rain stopped.
KP: So Kyiv is comparable to other European capitals?
LT: I think Kyiv is a really important European capital. I think that what happens here will make a big difference not only to the United Kingdom, but to the world.
KP: What are the United Kingdom’s priorities with regard to their bilateral relationship with Ukraine?
LT: Well of course, as you know we strongly support Ukraine’s European integration policy and EuroAtlantic destiny. They are both very important to us and we continue to support Ukraine as it moves forward.
KP: So you see Ukraine’s EuroAtlantic integration as a destiny?
LT: It was agreed at Bucharest that it would be.
KP: And when do you believe it will occur?
LT: Well, I cannot speculate on that. It will depend a great deal on Ukraine.
KP: What does Ukraine need to do?
LT: Well I don’t want to get into the NATO details at this stage. But, there are a number of actions that are being discussed between Ukraine and its NATO partners.
KP: When you look at Ukraine, what are some areas that concern you, for example the establishment of the rule of law?
LT: Let me say at the beginning, I am extremely optimistic about Ukraine. It seems to me that a whole lot of excellent things are happening here. There have been several years of strong economic growth. Of course, Ukraine is a country that to some extent is still in transition. The area of the rule of law is continuing to develop. But, arriving here I see more opportunities than problems.
KP: How do you view Ukraine’s eternal domestic political struggle between the country’s politicians?
LT: I have only been here 10 days and I have seen that there is indeed a very lively political debate here. I think that reflects the fact that Ukraine is a democracy and that is something we view very positively. Clearly, you need to build consensus. That is going to be very important here in Ukraine. But, I am very cautious about outsiders lecturing countries on how to run themselves.
KP: What are your views on the RussianUkrainian bilateral relationship?
LT: It is clearly a very important relationship and one that with all bilateral relationships needs to be worked on.
KP: Yet Russia has been using very aggressive language in opposition to Ukraine’s EuroAtlantic integration policies, how is the U.K. going to deal with that?
LT: Well both Russia and Ukraine are important sovereign states and it is very important that they resolve the problems in a peaceful and democratic fashion. I hope that would be the way forward.
KP: Russia has come very close to threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity, what is your view?
LT: As far as we are concerned Ukraine is a very important European country with a population approaching 50 million and there is no doubt in my mind that Ukraine is an independent state.
KP: Would you like to say anything to the diplomatic community?
LT: I’d like to say, really, how delighted I am to be here. I know everybody says that but, Kyiv is such a fantastic capital. I am hungry to find out more about the country and its people.
