Master degree in physics and applied math, Moscow physical and technical university, from 1991 to 1993 a researcher in the Ukrainian academy of sciences, in 1993 joined Ukrainian foreign ministry, worked on security, disarmament, energy security and nuclear safety, EU. Had spells abroad in Germany and the UK, including as ambassador to Germany. From 2014 to 2019 foreign minister of Ukraine, now on the board of Come back Alive foundation.