A few months ago, the world was a different place. Politicians, diplomats and business leaders could meet without respirator masks. Important negotiations didn’t need to take place by video links. Deals were still being struck with ink on paper and with the shaking of hands.

Just on Feb. 14, Deputy Foreign Minister Vasyl Bodnar uploaded a photo to social media showing a packed roundtable negotiation in London. Ukrainian delegates and British officials were finalizing details on an historic new partnership deal between Kyiv and London that aimed to strengthen and redefine bilateral ties in politics, trade, security and more.