Although the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on plans for in-person U.S. Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv this year, I’m honored to have the opportunity this July to celebrate the values of independence and democracy with the people of Ukraine virtually. I hope you had the opportunity to join us on our Facebook page on July 4.
I have been in Ukraine for more than a year now, and during that time Ukrainians have deeply inspired me, and so many other Americans, with their fierce commitment to their sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic rights, and a more transparent and equitable economy.
On the front lines in eastern Ukraine every day, Ukrainian men and women bravely and selflessly defend their nation against Russia’s unrelenting aggression, while passionate members of the Ukrainian civil society and the Ukrainian government strive to continue building the democratic institutions and Euro-Atlantic partnerships that Ukrainians stood up for during the Revolution of Dignity. We join the people of Ukraine in demanding nothing less than the full restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and we will continue to impose costs – including sanctions – on Russia while it continues its aggression in both Crimea and in the Donbas.
The people of the United States and Ukraine share many traits, including a commitment to independence, support for a dynamic free press and civil society, and citizens who actively seek to hold their governments to account. These qualities mean we have passionate internal debates, even demonstrations, to make our viewpoints heard. But it’s the strength of our democracies that allow us to work through these moments and come out stronger on the other side. It is our shared commitment to democracy and Euro-Atlantic values that is the basis for the broad scope of our cooperation, and that will bring our nations even closer together as we pursue our shared goals.
The United States has invested billions of dollars and thousands of people in support of Ukraine’s journey over the past three decades, since it was 30 years ago this month that the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, declared the nation’s sovereignty.
In the security sphere, our training, advising, and equipping efforts for Ukrainian security forces continue unabated; later this month we look forward to welcoming over 150 members of the Illinois National Guard to Yavoriv for nine months of training and advising efforts for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We congratulate Ukraine on its new status as a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner, and we remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic civilian control of the military, promote command and control reforms, and advance defense industry reforms. NATO Allies highly value Ukraine’s significant contributions to Allied operations, the NATO Response Force and NATO exercises.
On the health front, we continue to partner closely with Ukraine to combat the global threat of COVID-19. We are deeply grateful to our Ukrainian partners for their efforts to support the transportation of medical supplies to the United States in recent months. Our COVID-related assistance, including funding directed toward health and humanitarian needs, will improve the ability of local health care institutions to care for the sick and combat further spread of this disease. We also stand with Ukraine at this difficult time of severe flooding and are working closely with our Ukrainian partners to help the people of western Ukraine recover from this humanitarian disaster.
We have also continued our work, both bilaterally and through chairmanship of the G7 Ambassadors’ Group, to support the reform agenda set out by the Ukrainian Government.
We commend President Volodymyr Zelensky and other officials who have taken significant steps to implement land reform, natural gas sector unbundling, and the banking law. These will have a direct positive impact on Ukraine’s economy, will improve the lives of individual citizens, and will serve as a foundation for increased trade and foreign investment.
We will continue to support Zelensky, other Ukrainian officials, and civil society representatives as they work to reduce the influence of vested interests, strengthen the rule of law, and ensure the independence and integrity of courts, anti-corruption bodies, the National Bank of Ukraine, and law enforcement institutions.
In the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, our nation’s founders noted they were working “to form a more perfect union.” Forming that more perfect union is the consistent challenge and goal for the leaders and citizens of any democracy. Having seen firsthand the passion and patriotism of the Ukrainian people, I am confident Ukraine will continue to make progress toward building that more perfect Union, deepening its partnerships with fellow democracies, and creating a more prosperous future for the people of Ukraine. The United States will be Ukraine’s reliable partner throughout this journey.
Kristina A. Kvien is the charge d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.
