William TAYLOR: “Above all, I was astounded by the changes in the Ukrainian people’s thinking”

The Day is launching a new column called “Our Country through the Eyes of Foreigners.” We have asked all the ambassadors to Ukraine, as well as foreign politicians and experts, to answer the following two questions.

1. What impressed you most about Ukraine?

2. Can you list three reasons to love Ukraine?

We are certain that our readers would like to hear what foreigners think about Ukrainians and how they view our country. Below William Taylor, US Ambassador to Ukraine, presents his views.

1. “The first time I visited Ukraine in 1992 it was a totally new country, and our aid programs were also totally new. At that time American aid programs for Ukraine were chiefly humanitarian. There were some fears then, however groundless, that the Soviet Union’s disintegration could lead to food deficits and other humanitarian problems. I was a member of a mission that was supposed to evaluate the situation in some republics of the former Soviet Union. I remember my first visit to Kyiv, and how I struggled to distinguish between the left bank of the Dnipro and its right bank, and how I was stunned by the beauty of the city, even though it was not in such great shape as it is now. I remember that I was impressed by the churches that were in an excellent state. It was interesting to see cobblestone streets. That was my first impression of Ukraine and Kyiv.

I’d like to remind you that from 1992 to 2002 I visited Ukraine at least once a year, and sometimes two or three times a year. I was able to watch Ukraine changing and developing over those 10 years. During that period I was astounded most of all by the changes in the people’s way of thinking. It was captivating and inspiring.

I am glad you asked me this question because I just recently came back from a five-day vacation in the Crimea. Everybody who has been to the Crimean seaside will say that its landscape is fantastic. I had already been to Yalta, Symferopil, Bakhchysarai, and Sevastopil. But I have never had a chance to drive along the coastline. My wife and I drove from Sevastopil to Kerch and then back to Alushta. We will never forget that trip and we will return there many more times.

Of course, Ukraine has other wonderful spots too. The Carpathian Mountains are very beautiful. On our way back from the Crimea we stopped in the Askania-Nova Nature Preserve, where we saw an endless virgin steppe. That was beautiful too.

2. The first reason is the people, their willingness to improve their lives, position themselves in Europe, leave the times when Ukraine was just a part of the Soviet Union, and move towards democracy and economic development. That is very inspiring.

Another reason is Ukraine’s leadership position. I think that Ukraine, as a European country, has potential. It is able to move this great country towards European institutions and bring other parts of this region along to Europe.

The third reason is what can be called Ukraine’s geographical beauty.”