Uffe BALSLEV: “Ukraine could be called a small museum of European history”

Today the guest of our regular column “Ukraine through Foreign Eyes” is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark to Ukraine Uffe BALSLEV. We asked him the same two questions we have been asking all the foreign ambassadors to Ukraine, foreign politicians, and experts:

1. What struck you most about Ukraine?

2. Name three reasons to love Ukraine.

1. For me it was very exciting to come to Ukraine because during the Soviet period I used to work at the Royal Danish Embassy in Moscow. I had an opportunity to visit Ukraine at that time. In the 1990s I visited your country once a year, observing the events and changes that were taking place. When I arrived in Ukraine in 2002 I was first of all impressed by the economic growth and Kyiv’s restoration. New stores and company offices were opening every day. To me it is quite obvious that Ukraine has been experiencing a real economic boom during the last five years. I feel that Ukrainians have become more active and optimistic both about the future of the country and their personal future. They hope that their income and well-being will increase. I feel optimism in the air. I see young people being very ambitious. And there are opportunities in the country for them to achieve success.

I have always seen Ukraine as a European country and it is considered as such. Obviously, Ukrainian culture belongs to Europe not only in classical but in modern terms as well. Thus, I don’t see a big difference between Ukraine and Western or Northern European countries. However, it is clear that some differences among them are found only on levels of development and forms of social organization.

2. First of all, I have to mention the following character traits of the Ukrainian people: hospitality, openness, good sense of humor and the ability to take life easy. Ukrainians approach their neighbors positively. Another reason for my love for Ukraine is its beauty. I especially love Kyiv, which is developing and becoming more and more beautiful. Ukraine also attracts me because in a way it reflects European history. Every more or less important event in the history of Europe affected Ukraine one way or another. Many of those events were tragic and sad. That is why Ukraine could be called a small museum of European history. And I appreciate this very much.