The Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council hosted its Ukraine Briefing in the House of Lords of the UK Parliament in partnership with the British Ukrainian Society and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine.
The event took place on the night of 14 December at Lord Speaker’s Apartments, with around 50 guests in attendance. Lord Hunt of Wirral gave welcoming remarks, while representatives from Ukraine – Charge d’Affaires Ihor Kyzym and Member of Parliament Volodymyr Ariev – offered their insights into the current Ukrainian affairs.
Mr Kyzym stressed that sanctions against Russia have to stay until the causes of their implementation are removed. “Russia has not only failed to withdraw from the Ukrainian territory it occupied, but also hesitates with fulfilling its obligations under the Minsk Agreements, which leads to a further escalation of the situation in the East of Ukraine,” he said, also adding that sanctions are a stimulus for Russia to comply with international law and obligations.
Volodymyr Ariev offered a detailed insight into the reform process in Ukraine, while also informing the audience about the measures Ukrainian MPs take together with foreign parliamentarians to counter Russia’s aggression.
Their briefings were followed by a Q&A session, with questions coming from members of the Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council that includes Members of the House of Lords, British scientists, experts and civil society actors.
The Chairman of the British Ukrainian Society, Lord Risby, gave closing remarks and presented Charge d’Affaires Ihor Kyzym with a watercolour of the UK Parliament. “This was a really memorable evening in the historic River Room of the House of Lords overlooking the River Thames, with a large audience who clearly reflected their interest in and support for Ukraine at this difficult time”, said Lord Risby.
“It was so good to be brought up to date on the latest developments, and to be able to pay tribute to Ukraine’s fine diplomats in London. Our bilateral relationship is excellent in large measure due to their work and admired professionalism”, added the Chairman of the British Ukrainian Society.
Ukraine MP, Volodymyr Ariev, spoke:
Volodymyr Ariev is the People's Deputy of Ukraine (MP) of the 6th, 7th and 8th convocation, chairman of Ukrainian delegation in Parliament Assembly of Council of Europe, PACE Vice-President. He also is a Ukrainian journalist, film director, author of the project "Restricted Area".
Volodymyr Ariev was born in Kyiv Ukraine on 31 March 1975.
Education
1992, Nature and Science Lyceum in Kyiv.
1998, Institute for Journalism affiliated with Kyiv National University.
1994, student of BBC World Service school, Kyiv.
Career
February 1993 - October 1994, assistant reporter, stringer of Ukrainian and Russian BBC services, (Kyiv).
October 1994 - January 1996, special correspondent, host of "Vikna-novyny" news program, "Internews".
January 1996 - May 1996, special correspondent, information agency "Vikna".
May - November 1996, host of the news block in "Good Morning Ukraine!", UT-1 channel.
November 1996 - September 2003, special correspondent, Information and Analytical service, TV channel Inter.
2002, journalist of TSN, 1+1 Studio.
March 2003 - March 2004, independent journalist and author of the program "Non-province"(STB), freelance writer at weekly "Zerkalo Nedeli" ("Mirror Weekly"); special correspondent at JSC Television Information Agency "Profi TV".
March 2004 - December 2005, - Director and author of the program "Closed Zone", "Channel 5".
2007 - 5 Kanal stopped collaboration with Volodymyr Ariev producer center due to he ran for People's Deputy.
People's Deputy of the 6th Verkhovna Rada since November 2007, was elected by the lists of "Our Ukraine - People's Self-Defense Bloc".
People's Deputy of the 7th Verkhovna Rada since November 2012, was elected in constituency 218, Kyiv for Batkivshchyna.
People's Deputy of the 8th Verkhovna Rada since November 2014, was re-elected in constituency 218, Kyiv for Petro Poroshenko Bloc.
Since 2015 Chairman of Ukrainian delegation to PACE, PACE Vice-President