Ukraine

Hamburg's connection to the Urkaine

Hamburg stands firmly by Ukraine's side. On 24 April 2022, two months after the Russian attack on the country, Hamburg and Kyiv signed the "Pact for Solidarity and the Future". The two mayors thus established a strategic partnership to provide assistance in crisis situations and strengthen economic, cultural and social relations.

Since the conclusion of the pact, intensive relations have existed, focussing on Hamburg's support for Kyiv in view of the humanitarian challenges posed by the war. Many institutions and companies from Hamburg have been involved so far. Ukraine will have to make an enormous effort to rebuild the country. The topic of support for reconstruction will also characterise Hamburg's relations with Kyiv in the future.

Another link to Ukraine is HHLA's involvement: HHLA has been active in Ukraine since the country's independence, initially in an advisory capacity and since 2001 in the management of the Odessa Container Terminal.

HamburgAmbassador Svitlana Iarova

Portrait of a smiling woman with short blonde hair and pearl earrings against a blurred background. — © Svitlana Iarova

Since 2017, Svitlana Iarova has been Vice President for Public and Political Affairs at the HHLA subsidiary Container Terminal Odessa, one of the largest container terminals on the Black Sea, where she plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction and international positioning of the site.

She has been working for the Ukrainian activities of the company, formerly known as HPC Hamburg Port Consulting, since 2001. From marketing, communications and PR to management, she has taken on various areas of responsibility and has continuously developed and shaped the cooperation with Hamburg.

Her professional background is based on a degree in German studies at the I. I. Metschnikow State University in Odessa, followed by a doctorate and a master's degree in business management at the Maritime National University of Odessa. As a multilingual networker and board member of the German-Ukrainian Forum e. V., she is also actively involved in the exchange between Odessa and the Hanseatic city.