Liechtenstein–Ukraine relations explained

Envoy2:	Ambassador Iryna Venediktova^[1]
Envoy1:	Ambassador Félix Baumann^[2]
Mission1:	Embassy of Ukraine, Bern
Mission2:	Embassy of Switzerland, Kyiv

Foreign relations exist between Liechtenstein and Ukraine. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 February 1992.^[3] Since then, the relations between the two countries have been stable.

Ukraine does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but honorary consulate located in Vaduz. The Ukrainian ambassador to Switzerland, located in Bern, is also accredited to Liechtenstein. Similarly, the Swiss embassy in Kyiv also represents Liechtenstein.

Diplomatic and economic cooperation

Since 1 June 2012 the EFTA-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement is in force between Ukraine and Liechtenstein.^[4]

Liechtenstein does not recognise the Russian annexation of Crimea and participated in the international sanctions against Russia in 2014.^{[5] [6]} In 2017, Liechtenstein removed visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens.^[7]

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Liechtenstein condemned the invasion and applied EU sanctions against Russia, in return Russia declared the country as "taking unfriendly actions against Russia, Russian companies, and citizens".^{[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]} Liechtenstein has sent 500,000 CHF worth humanitarian aid to Ukraine and a subsequent loan of an additional 1.8 million CHF in February 2022 aimed at assisting those displaced as a result of the war.^[13] As of September 2023 Liechtenstein has sent over 2.3 million CHF (2.5 million US dollars) to Ukraine.

In June 2024, a Ukrainian honorary consulate was opened in Liechtenstein in a ceremony opened by Yevhen Perebyinis, Iryna Venediktova and Dominique Hasler, with lawyer David Jandrasits becoming honorary consul.^[14]

High level visits and diplomatic meetings

• On 17 January 2017, Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met where they discussed trade and investment between the two countries. Poroshenko thanked Liechtenstein for its involvement in EU sanctions against Russia.
• In June 2018, Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife visited Ukraine where they met with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman in Kyiv respectively. They discussed cooperation between the International Red Cross and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. They also placed flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• On 17 January 2023, Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein met with First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska in Davos, Switzerland. They discussed Russian war crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.^{[15] [16]}
• In March 2024 Liechtenstein foreign minister Dominique Hasler visited Ukraine at the invitation of Olena Zelenska. She visited the Olena Zelenska Foundation and also met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.^[17]

External links

• Website of the Swiss embassy in Kyiv
• Website of the Ukrainian embassy in Bern

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ukraine confirms former top prosecutor as new ambassador in Bern . 18 November 2022 .
2. Web site: swissinfo.ch/mga . Beware 'neutrality fetishism' warns ex-Swiss ambassador to Kyiv . 2023-05-01 . SWI swissinfo.ch . 28 March 2023 . en.
3. Web site: European countries . https://web.archive.org/web/20190720122956/https://mfa.gov.ua/en/about-ukraine/bilateral-cooperation/european-countries . 20 July 2019 . 23 August 2019 . Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
4. Web site: Ukraine . EFTA.
5. News: 17 January 2017 . Порошенко у Давосі провів "історичну зустріч . uk . 20 September 2023 . 18 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170118070736/http://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-politycs/2158265-porosenko-proviv-u-davosi-istoricnu-zustric.html . bot: unknown .
6. Web site: Vaduz: Frick hofft auf friedliche Krim-Lösung . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053808/http://www.radio.li/de/nachrichten/nachrichten-detailseite/artikel/6822/ . 2016-03-04 . 2014-03-08.
7. Web site: Liechtenstein visa for Ukrainian citizens . Embassies.
8. Web site: 24 February 2022 . Liechtenstein verurteilt die russische Aggression gegen die Ukraine . Liechtenstein condemns Russian aggression against Ukraine . 25 February 2022 . regierung.li . de.
9. Web site: 15 October 2014 . Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision 2014/658/CFSP amending Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150601220143/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/145122.pdf . 1 June 2015 . 1 June 2015 . Council of the European Union.
10. Web site: 25 February 2022 . Regierung beschliesst Nachvollzug von Sanktionen und gibt IHZE Gelder frei . medienportal.regierung.li.
11. News: 28 February 2022 . Prince Alois of Liechtenstein comments on the Russian invasion of Ukraine . Royal Central . 20 September 2023.
12. Web site: Russia issues list of countries, considering their 'unfriendly actions' . 7 March 2022 . Anadolu Agency.
13. Web site: Sonderseite Ukraine . 20 September 2023 . Regiferung Des Fürstentums Liechtenstein . de.
14. News: 27 June 2024 . Ukraine opens honorary consulate in Liechtenstein . 23 July 2024 . Ukrinform.
15. News: 18 January 2023 . First Lady Zelenska discusses Russian war crimes with Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein Alois . 20 September 2023 . The New Voice of Ukraine.
16. News: 17 January 2023 . Olena Zelenska presented the Ukrainian Peace Formula at the World Economic Forum in Davos . President of Ukraine - Official website . 20 September 2023.
17. News: 23 March 2024 . Aussenministerin Hasler zu Besuch in der Ukraine . 30 March 2024 . Liechtensteiner Vaterland.