The first visit of Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada, Yuliya Kovaliv, to British Columbia, including the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, was exceptionally eventful and productive. Over the course of a week, the Ambassador held a series of important meetings with representatives from business, government, education, and the Ukrainian community, aimed at strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the province in various sectors.

Meetings with British Columbia Premier David Eby, Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin, and Minister Bruce Ralston confirmed that Ukraine has strong and reliable support in British Columbia.

At the municipal level, significant meetings with the mayors of Vancouver, Ken Sim, and Victoria, Marianne Alto, covering topics ranging from economic cooperation and assistance to Ukrainian cities affected by Russian shelling to cultural initiatives, including the installation of monuments honoring the victims of the Holodomor of 1932–1933.

Economic collaboration was a key focus of the visit. Meetings with business leaders, including BCBC CEO Laura Jones, BCI Pension Fund CEO Gordon Fyfe, GVBOT President Bridgitte Anderson, and Grammarly co-founder Max Litvin, provided an opportunity to discuss investment possibilities in Ukraine's reconstruction, support for Ukrainian businesses, the development of the IT sector, and technological innovation.

Youth and science also received special attention. The Ambassador met with the leadership of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and addressed students at the University of British Columbia (UBC), speaking about the challenges Ukraine faces, opportunities for educational cooperation, and innovations in research and technology.

Heartfelt meetings were held with representatives of the Ukrainian communities in Vancouver and Victoria, where they discussed how the community could further enhance its support for Ukraine.

Engagement with local media was another vital part of the visit. Ambassador Yuliya Kovaliv spoke with CBC Vancouver and the Vancouver Sun, where she highlighted the current situation in Ukraine and the importance of Canadian support.

This visit was a significant step toward strengthening ties between Ukraine and British Columbia, reflecting a shared commitment to developing partnerships in key areas.