Following in the footsteps of Turkey, India and the Netherlands, the Ukraine has decided that given its’ democratic independence that began in the 90’s, the time is right to showcase the political opportunism and backroom manipulation that can sometimes go with democracy. What better place to turn than England and a 30-year old series that, to this day, is still writing perfection. Inter TV, Ukraine’s national broadcaster, has bought the rights to create its’ own version of the immensely popular seriesYes Minister, which starred Paul Eddington and Nigel Hawthorne as Jim Hacker and, Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby, respectively.

Still recognized today as one of the most influential sitcoms of all time, Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister have proved one thing, if anything, over the years. “Bureaucracy is the same everywhere”, states Jonathan Lynn, co-writer of the original series with Antony Jay, adding that “frustration with politicians is universal”.

And, if only Sir Humphrey were around to explain foreign policy today. Enjoy.