Ambassador’s Corner
Ambassador of the EU to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, arrived in Kyiv in September 2023. The Ambassador represents the European Union in its diplomatic engagements and cooperation with Ukraine in these crucial times when the country is defending its European future and our joint values against the brutal full-scale aggression of Russia.
The Ambassador has worked with Ukraine since 2015, contributing to comprehensive reform process. A process that is actively ongoing despite the war and lays the foundations for Ukraine’s future accession into the EU.
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International Women's Day Address
Fearless. Selfless. Proud.
That is who they are, and that is who they will remain – today and everyday.
Ukrainian women, who have been resisting Russian full-scale invasion for more than three years. Protecting their families and their land with immense courage and pride.
Today belongs to each and every one of them. They deserve our gratitude for fighting not only for a lasting, just peace in Ukraine but also for security of the entire world.
Press
EU Ambassador Outlines Ukraine’s Key Achievements and Challenges on the Path to European Integration – Interview with Katarína Mathernová for Channel 24
In an exclusive interview for Channel 24, the Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, spoke about the main challenges that still lie ahead for Ukraine on its path to EU membership and shared her vision of when the country’s accession to the European Union might take place.
Together with TV host Nataliia Lutsenko, they also discussed the latest news related to the war in Ukraine and what it means to live and work in a country under constant threat.
"The ability of Ukrainians to move forward is what impresses me", says EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova for Espreso TV
"I often sleep on the bathroom floor because of the Russian attacks, and that is why the very nature and ability of Ukrainians to move forward is what truly impresses me on a personal level".
This was stated in the Espreso studio by Katarina Mathernova, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine.
"For me, it has become a cliché that everyone talks about the resilience of Ukrainians, but it's not just a phrase. Ukrainians really are like that. You are very strong, you are resilient, you are bombed at night, and in the morning you say, ‘Okay, I'm alive, I can take a shower and go to work’’, - said the Ambassador.
She added that she lives here, so for her it is not something abstract.
"It's something concrete. I hear the same sirens. I often sleep on the bathroom floor, and so the very nature and ability of Ukrainians to move forward is something that really impresses me on a personal level. And the very fact that the country is fighting, fighting for survival and at the same time applying for membership in the European Union and carrying out reforms. It's really incredible, and I don't know of any other country that has managed to take such decisive steps", - Maternova said.
"Expectations for this winter are growing darker, but we are staying here in Kyiv", - Interview with EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová for European Pravda
"The attack on the EU embassy was a warning shot"
– Just over a month ago, Russia attacked the EU Delegation: two missiles exploded right next to this building where we are speaking now. Have you managed to repair everything?
– Apart from a few windows, yes.
The 28th of August is going to be one of the days I'll never forget for the rest of my life.
About 80 or 90 metres from the EU delegation and about 30 metres from the British Council there were two rockets that hit a small administrative building, and both the blast wave and fragments of the missiles and cluster ammunition damaged our building quite a bit.
Fortunately this attack, which I think was a warning shot, happened at around five in the morning. So thankfully there was nobody in the office from the staff, and our guards who work 24/7 were fortunately in a shelter.
On our premises nobody was injured, but if it had happened during the day, you can imagine what this would do to someone.
As an example, in one of the rooms we had a refrigerator that was pierced on both sides. A piece of shrapnel went in and out of a refrigerator.
These are some examples of how our offices looked. The entire ventilation system from the walls was destroyed and a lot of the furniture damaged.
– What will change in the work of the delegation?
– We are not changing anything. We are staying here in Kyiv. Europe stands with Ukraine, and that includes the full work of the delegation.
But these attacks are getting closer.
Ukraine now has attacks almost daily on its energy infrastructure, and most recently on its railways.
– We still remember 2022, when one after another the Western embassies left Kyiv, and then Ukraine altogether. Based on your conversations with your counterparts, can we be confident that this will not happen again, that Ukraine will not be left alone?
– The European Union is keeping the same staff level, and this is true for all the embassies as far as I know.
I have not heard of anybody reducing the diplomatic staff. And in...
