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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:

Ambassador: Mykhailo REZNIK
Embassy: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
Telephone: [1] (202) 349-2920
Fax: [1] (202) 333-0817

US Diplomatic Representation:

Ambassador:  John F. Tefft
Embassy: 10 Yuriya Kotsyubynskoho Street, 01901
Mailing address: use embassy street address
Telephone: [380] (44) 490-4000
Fax: [7] (044) 244-73-50

Consulate(s) Generals Chicago
10 E. Huron St.,
Chicago, IL 60611.
(312) 642-4388

New York
240 E. 49th St.,
New York, NY 10017.
(212) 371-5690


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Ukraine
Embassy of Ukraine in Washington DC
Embassy of the United States in Kiev, Ukraine



FOREIGN RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Ukraine in 1991, following its independence from the Soviet Union. The United States attaches great importance to the success of Ukraine's transition to a democratic state with a flourishing market economy. U.S. policy is centered on realizing and strengthening a democratic, prosperous, and secure Ukraine more closely integrated into Europe and Euro-Atlantic structures. The U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership highlights the importance of the bilateral relationship and outlines enhanced cooperation in the areas of defense, security, economics and trade, energy security, democracy, and cultural exchanges. It also emphasizes the continued commitment of the United States to support enhanced engagement between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine. To fulfill one of the key tenets of the charter, the two countries have established the Strategic Partnership Commission.

U.S. Assistance to Ukraine

U.S. Government assistance to Ukraine aims to support the development of a democratic, prosperous, and secure Ukraine, fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community. A fact sheet on U.S. assistance to Ukraine can be found here.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States has granted Ukraine market economy status and terminated the application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Ukraine, giving Ukraine permanent normal trade relations status. The United States and Ukraine have a bilateral investment treaty. U.S. exports to Ukraine include coal, machinery, vehicles, agricultural products, fish and seafood, and aircraft. U.S. imports from Ukraine include iron and steel, inorganic chemicals, oil, iron and steel products, aircraft, and agricultural products. The U.S.-Ukraine Council on Trade and Investment was established under the countries' agreement on trade and investment cooperation and works to increase commercial and investment opportunities by identifying and removing impediments to bilateral trade and investment flows.

Ukraine's Membership in International Organizations

Ukraine and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Ukraine also is an observer to the Organization of American States. Ukraine has adopted a “non-bloc” foreign policy, including abandonment of its formal bid for NATO membership.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine is John F. Tefft; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Ukraine maintains an embassy in the United States at 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 (tel. 202-349-2920).

More information about Ukraine is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Ukraine Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Ukraine Page
U.S. Embassy: Ukraine
USAID Ukraine Page
History of U.S. Relations With Ukraine
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies (see Soviet Union (Former))
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Ukraine check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency (UAH) Hryunia
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 380, City Code, Lviv 32+7D, Lutsk 33+7D, Zhytomyr 41+7D



LANGUAGE
Ukrainian became the official language only in 1990, replacing Russian. Most of the population in eastern Ukraine and in Kyiv speak Russian as a first language, while Ukrainian is the first language in western Ukraine. Although those in the political world and the local media use both languages, official documents are now in Ukrainian. The two languages share almost the same Cyrillic alphabet, and if you arrive unfamiliar with either language a phrase book or interpreter is almost essential. Not much English is spoken here.

INTERNATIONAL TIME
Ukraine has two time zones (two hours after Greenwich Mean Time in 24 oblasts and three in the Republic of Crimea). Daylight savings time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October when you will need to advance your clocks by one hour.

MONEY
The new official ukrainian currency 'Hryvnia' (UAH) was introduced September 2, 1996 replacing the old temporary ukrainian currency 'Coupon' and became the only legal payment bill within Ukraine after September 15.
See more information about Hryvnia here.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE
You can easily change your dollars or other hard currecies for Hryvnias in major banks and special exchange points. Estimated exchange rate to dollar as of July 2000 is about 5.45 UHR for 1 USD. (You may also check our Hryvnia Currency Converter here.) Changing U.S. dollars for ukrainian Hryvnias or another currency is legal only at banks, currency exchange desks at hotels and at licensed exchange booths. There are a lot of such exchange points throughout the city. Beware of changing money on the streets or with private individuals: it's illegal and it can be dangerous. Remember however that old or damaged bills may not be accepted or accepted under the lower rate. The "hard currency" stores only accept Hryvnias but almost all of them have a money exchange booth on the premises.

CREDIT CARDS
Ukraine is a cash economy. Traveler's checks and credit cards are gaining wider acceptance in larger cities. Use of credit cards is limited to the better hotels, Western-style restaurants, international airlines and select stores. American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are commonly accepted. A passport or diplomatic card may be required whenever a credit card is used. Customs regulations prohibit sending cash, traveler's checks, personal checks, credit cards or passports through the international mail system to Ukraine. These items are regularly confiscated as contraband by customs authorities.

EXPORT OF VALUABLES OF UKRAINIAN ORIGIN
To export any antique items and/or works of art the permission of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine must be obtained. In addition to samovars, paintings, and rugs, this restriction applies to collections or separate works of fine, applied, and folk art, archeological and numismatic items, valuable musical instruments, gold, silver, precious stones, hand-woven carpets, manuscripts, books published before 1966, and furniture made before 1945.

BUSINESS HOURS
An eight-hour day is considered a normal work day, Monday through Friday. A lunch break is taken between the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pm. Most banks are open without breaks, Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

WATER
Tap water in Kyiv is chemically safe but may contain elevated levels of lead from the pipes. This problem is remedied by letting the tap run for 10 seconds before collecting the water. There is also no detectable radiation in the water.

ELECTRICITY
220 volts, 50Hz is the standard electrical voltage throughout Ukraine. To use electrical appliances you will need a converter as well as an Eastern-European plug adapter.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco.........................200g of cigarettes or cigars or tobacco

Liquor............................1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine

Perfume.........................reasonable for personal use

Cameras........................no restrictions

Film...............................reasonalbe for personal use

Gifts...............................reasonable quantity

Currency.........................no restrictions



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