Yelyzaveta Oleksiyivna Yasko (Ukrainian: Єлизавета Олексіївна Ясько; born 17 October 1990) is a Ukrainian politician, film producer, and public figure. She has served as a Member of Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) since 2019, representing the Servant of the People party. Yasko is known for her contributions to cultural diplomacy, international relations, and her involvement in various youth and cultural initiatives.
Early Life and Education Yelyzaveta Yasko was born on 17 October 1990, in Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (present-day Ukraine). She pursued higher education at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, where she studied philosophy and graduated in 2013. Following her undergraduate studies, Yasko was awarded the WorldWide Studies scholarship, which enabled her to complete a Master's degree in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, graduating in 2018. During her academic career, she was actively engaged in student governance and public projects.
Political Career In the 2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election, Yasko successfully ran for a seat in the Verkhovna Rada as a candidate for the Servant of the People party, placed 15th on the party list. Upon her election, she was appointed Head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), a position she held from September 2019 to January 2021. In this capacity, she actively represented Ukraine's interests, particularly concerning issues related to the ongoing conflict in Donbas and the annexation of Crimea, playing a significant role in international parliamentary dialogue. Within the Verkhovna Rada, Yasko is a member of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation.
Cultural and Public Activities Prior to her entry into politics, Yasko was actively involved in film production and various cultural projects. She founded the Yellow Blue Strategy, an initiative focused on promoting Ukraine's image internationally through cultural diplomacy. Her work includes producing several documentaries and short films. She has also served as a consultant for numerous cultural and educational endeavors, often focusing on youth engagement, European integration, and human rights advocacy.
Personal Life In October 2021, Yelyzaveta Yasko publicly confirmed her relationship with Mikheil Saakashvili, the former President of Georgia and former Governor of Odesa Oblast, Ukraine. This announcement was made through a video recorded by Saakashvili himself while he was detained in Georgia. She has consistently advocated for his release and supported his political activities since then.
References (Note: In a professional encyclopedia entry, this section would include specific citations to reliable sources.)