Ukraine and the United Kingdom officially launch a permanent Economic and Trade Dialogue and begin a partnership to jointly work on reforming the public procurement system. These agreements were formalized on January 17 in Kyiv during the First Century Partnership Forum.
During the forum, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Anna Artemenko participated in a separate meeting dedicated to the UK-Ukraine Economic and Trade Dialogue. The sides discussed public procurement reform and joint plans to support its implementation, priorities and measures in insurance and investment, the Digital Trade Agreement, and the TechBridge project.
The meeting resulted in the signing of several documents that move last year’s theoretical agreements into practical implementation.
Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are establishing a permanent Economic and Trade Dialogue. It will serve as an official platform for cooperation aimed at business development, investment attraction, and the removal of trade barriers between the two countries. The dialogue’s goal is to strengthen trade cooperation, including by fostering a deeper understanding of key areas of potential growth.
The UK will support the reform of Ukraine’s public procurement system. The cooperation aims to make Ukraine’s procurement system more effective: instead of choosing the cheapest materials or services, the state will be able to select durable and modern solutions. This is about implementing a key international procurement principle: value for money.
“This is not only about trade preferences or experience exchange—it’s about a shared vision for the future, where Ukraine becomes a full participant in global markets, and British business gains a reliable and promising partner. The documents signed today and the launch of the permanent Dialogue lay the foundation for long-term growth and effective reconstruction. We value that the UK is helping to transform the Ukrainian economy today,” emphasized Anna Artemenko.
On January 17, Kyiv hosted the First Century Partnership Forum between Ukraine and the UK, marking the anniversary of the historic 100-year partnership agreement between the two countries. The forum focused on active partnership and the tangible results achieved over this time.
Key topics included Ukraine’s recovery, innovation development, and strengthening defense cooperation. Participants also focused on economic growth, cultural dialogue, and the importance of the human dimension in large-scale reconstruction.
The Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Ukraine and the UK was signed on January 16, 2025. It established a long-term foundation for cooperation in security, defense, and the economy, including extended support for arms production and collaboration in energy, science, and technology.
