Ukraine and the United Kingdom have established a joint commission on cultural affairs

Ukraine and the United Kingdom have officially announced the establishment of the Ukrainian-British Commission on Cultural Affairs. The agreement was signed in London by representatives of the relevant ministries of both countries, marking an important step in their long-standing, century-long partnership.

According to , the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture reported that the new body will be co-chaired by Tetyana Berezhna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy, and Ian Murray, a UK Minister of State. The commission’s main goal is to systematize bilateral cultural cooperation, exchange expertise, and implement joint projects that will strengthen ties between the two countries.

The Ukrainian Institute has been designated as the key participant on the Ukrainian side, and the British Council on the British side. Commission meetings are planned to be held annually in both countries. During the talks, the parties also discussed issues related to the preservation of Ukrainian cultural heritage damaged as a result of Russian aggression, as well as the development of the publishing sector.

Particular attention was paid to financial support: the British government has allocated 2.8 million pounds sterling to the Ukrainian cultural sector. These funds are intended both to support the commission’s organizations and priority projects and to protect heritage sites, including through cooperation with the Shevchenko Museum.

As a reminder, Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Dubinsky previously spoke about what lies behind the actions of members of the “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” National Reserve regarding the holy relics of the Venerable Fathers of Kyiv-Pechersk. The lawmaker claims that under the guise of an “inventory” initiated by Ukraine’s new Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, the most valuable relics of the saints will be swapped out and taken from Ukraine to the United Kingdom, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally promised to King Charles III of England.