Born:  October 28, 1953, Kyiv, Ukraine

Education: Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Faculty of International Law (cum laude, 1975)

Professional experience:

Since March 11, 2010

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

May – November 2011

Chairman, Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe 

2008-2010 

Ambassador of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, concurrently First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine 

2006-2007 

Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister of Ukraine

2003-2005 

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

2000-2003 

Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States of America 

1998-2000 

Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Head of Mission of Ukraine to NATO, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

1995-1998 

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Representative of Ukraine to the Joint Compliance and Inspection Commission under the START-1 Treaty, Standing Control Commission under the ABM Treaty, Head of Ukrainian delegations to major conferences on international security, held under the UN aegis. In 1996 – Sherpa of Ukraine to the G8 Summit on nuclear safety, held in Moscow. Head of National Committee of Ukraine for Disarmament; Deputy Chairman of the State Commission of Ukraine on Export Control

1992-1995 

positions from Counsellor to Director of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament, MFA of Ukraine 

1981-1991 

Various diplomatic posts (from attaché to the first secretary) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR (1985 – 1990 worked at the Consulate General of the USSR in Montreal, Canada)   

1976-1980 

Staff member of the UN Secretariat, New York

Professional career also includes different activities at the UN specialized bodies and other international organizations:

1999-2003

Member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters (2003 – Chairman)

2000-2003

Commissioner, College of Commissioners for the United Nations Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) 

1995-1998

Member of the Foundation Council, Geneva Center for Security Policy

1991

Deputy Chief Inspector, United Nations Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM)

Foreign Languages: English, French (both fluent)

Diplomatic rank: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 

Married, has daughter and two grandchildren