"The UK is keen to expand and diversify its technical assistance programs to Ukraine with a particular focus on the development of regions affected by Russian aggression," - said the newly arrived Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Ukraine Melinda Simmons during the presentation of copies of her credentials to the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs for European Integration Olena Zerkal.

The British diplomat reaffirmed the UK Government's irvariable position on political and practical support for Ukraine, espesialy in resolving the Donbas situation caused by Russian aggression.

For her part, Olena Zerkal thanked for the recent clear stance of the Great Britain on the absence of preconditions to return Russia to the Group of Seven and invited the British side to work more closely on decentralization in Ukraine and development of local communities.