Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 9 November 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference meeting with representatives of Ukrainian and international human rights organizations devoted to the issue of ensuring the rights of Ukrainian military and civilian prisoners held by the Russian Federation.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that Russia’s forced detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in inhumane conditions is the most acute human rights issue in Europe since World War II.

“In the XXI century, we lived to the point where there are concentration camps in the center of Europe. I mean not only Olenivka, but also other terrible places,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

He noted that the International Committee of the Red Cross did not agree to delegate its representatives to the mission, which was supposed to go to the delimitation line and demand from Russia access to places of detention of Ukrainian prisoners.

At the suggestion of Andriy Yermak, the meeting participants decided to create an information human rights headquarters, which will regularly publish data on human rights violations during Russian aggression that are important for the global human rights community and the media.

The Head of the Office of the President called on Ukrainian and international human rights organizations to join the work of the headquarters.

It will work continuously and will become a platform for information support of Ukrainian prisoners held by the Russian aggressor.

“We have to put pressure on the Russian Federation from all sides, keep this issue in focus at all international platforms and do everything that depends on us to get information and work on the emergence of an international mission,” emphasized Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the Office of the President also proposed to create an interactive exhibition dedicated to the issue of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. According to Andriy Yermak, Ukrainians released from captivity and relatives of prisoners will be able to participate in the exhibition.

“When people see what is happening today, in the XXI century, in the center of Europe, it is better than any political tools,” he said.

Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets expressed his belief that the International Committee of the Red Cross has demonstrated its inefficiency and even unwillingness to monitor Russia’s compliance with the norms of humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.

“As human rights defenders, we must look for new platforms, new mechanisms to cope with this challenge. Therefore, I invite everyone to join this initiative and involve colleagues from all over the world,” said Dmytro Lubinets.

The commissioner also reported that the international community of ombudsmen supports the creation of new missions and platforms where the issues of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, as well as deported children, whom Russia continues to take from the temporarily occupied territories, will be raised.

As noted by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova, joining the efforts of state and non-governmental human rights organizations will make it possible to develop new approaches to protecting the rights of Ukrainian prisoners.

“Only when we join forces can we have a result,” she said.

Head of the board of the Crimean human rights group Olga Skrypnyk also called for attention to the protection of the rights of Ukrainian activists and Crimean Tatars who are subjected to constant repression by the Russian occupiers in Crimea. She supported the initiative to constantly inform the international community about the issues of Ukrainian prisoners held by the aggressor.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 8 November 2022.

Dialogue with the Russian Federation will become possible when the Russian army leaves Ukrainian territory, otherwise the ceasefire agreement will become only a tactical pause to strengthen Russian positions and lead to the loss of Ukrainian territories. Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated this in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

He noted that every military success and every meter of liberated land strengthens Ukraine. At the same time, he believes that dialogue with Russia will become possible when the Russian army leaves Ukrainian territory.

Mykhailo Podolyak emphasized that there is no consensus among the leaders of Western countries on the issue of removing the President of the Russian Federation from office, but any agreement with the current Russian leader will lead to the loss of the territories of Ukraine and the strengthening of other autocracies.

“A deal with Putin is a one-way ticket to a world where international law is no longer valid, where law is determined by force, and force is nuclear weapons. And why pay such a price if Putin does not give up the goal of destroying us? The ceasefire for Russia is a tactical pause for reinforcement. Is it worth making such a gift to Moscow?” said the Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President.

Answering a question about whether Ukraine would continue to fight if Western countries refused us new military aid, Mykhailo Podolyak said: “Ask the Ukrainians. Those whose homes were hit by Russian missiles. Those whose loved ones were killed or raped. Those who spend the night in cold, wet trenches. Ask those who will stay here for the winter, knowing that Russia will try to deprive us of light, water and communication. Ask, looking these people in the eyes.”

“We have no choice. Russia invaded us with mobile crematoria and half a million body bags. If we cease to defend ourselves, we cease to exist. Literally. Physically. We will continue to fight, even if they stab us in the back,” added the Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President.

At the same time, he urged not to speculate on the topic of negotiations among representatives of the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

“The armed forces of both countries can communicate with each other even to receive warnings about the consequences of using weapons of mass destruction. But there are no negotiations between Russia and Western countries regarding Ukraine. Our partners adhere to the principle “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”. No party will be able to ensure the implementation of agreements without the endorsement of the Ukrainian people,” Mykhailo Podolyak summarized.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 8 November 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with member of the US President’s Cabinet, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who arrived on a visit to our country.

The Head of State thanked the entire American people, US President Joseph Biden and his administration, the US Congress for the strong bipartisan and bicameral support of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war waged against our country by the Russian Federation.

“It is important that this support is fully manifested in the UN as well,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized, highly appreciating Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s personal role.

The United States delegation was briefed on the situation at the front and the escalation of Russian air terror against critical civilian infrastructure of Ukraine using cruise missiles and Iranian drones. It was emphasized separately that targeted Russian attacks damaged almost 40% of energy infrastructure facilities, as a result of which more than 4.5 million consumers remain without electricity in Ukraine.

“Given the continuation of Russia’s missile terror, our first priority is the urgent creation of an air shield over Ukraine,” the Head of State emphasized.

The President noted that the Russian Federation supplements the missile terror with cynical accusations against Ukraine of creating a “dirty bomb”, which have already been officially denied by the IAEA, and the continuation of open nuclear blackmail at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

In this regard, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for the United Nations to take a number of immediate steps, including the immediate dispatch of a mission of UN experts initiated by our state to Ukraine to investigate Iran’s supply of UAVs to Russia in violation of UN Security Council sanctions; sending competent representatives of the UN to the objects of critical infrastructure of Ukraine to assess the destruction and the need for restoration; maximum involvement of the capabilities of the United Nations in the restoration of the Ukrainian energy industry.

“It is also necessary to limit the membership and privileges of the terrorist state in the IAEA. There is a clear and understandable algorithm for this,” said the President of Ukraine.

During the meeting, the parties focused on supporting Ukraine’s initiatives at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. First of all, regarding the creation of a compensation mechanism for the consequences of Russian aggression, the initiation of a special tribunal regarding the crime of Russian aggression against our country, as well as the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, with an emphasis on Crimea and Sevastopol.

Special attention was paid to the pressing issue of Russia’s forced detention of Ukrainian military and civilian prisoners. The President reminded that more than a thousand prisoners have already been released, but a large number of Ukrainians are still living in terrible conditions on the territory of Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. In this regard, the Head of State emphasized the importance of international pressure in order to resolve the issue of access of UN representatives and the International Committee of the Red Cross to these persons as soon as possible.

A separate topic of the meeting was global food security. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the role of the UN and the Secretary-General personally in the implementation of the “grain initiative”, which provides food to millions of people in Africa, Asia and Europe. The interlocutors emphasized the need to extend the grain agreement after November 19.

“The last few days show that it is possible. Yes, Russia slows down this process in every possible way in order to blackmail the world. But I think that we will cope with this problem together,” he is convinced.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that despite the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, Ukraine is ready to remain the guarantor of world food security.

“Ukraine saves the world” – under this slogan we will provide assistance to the poorest. The first ship in the framework of the initiative is to depart shortly. We offer the countries of the world to join this important initiative,” the President of Ukraine noted.

There was also an exchange of views on specific steps to limit the aggressor state’s ability to abuse UN membership.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 8 November 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held the first meeting of the working group formed by the decree of the Head of State on November 3, 2022, to prepare proposals for providing assistance to states suffering from an acute food crisis.

“Today, it is Ukraine that is the main force that helps fight the food crisis created as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This shows that even in such terrible conditions, our country continues to be responsible, continues to think not only about itself, but also about the people who are suffering in the world today as a result of this war,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.

According to him, at today’s meeting of the working group, the first developments regarding the humanitarian supply of Ukrainian grain to the countries that need it the most are outlined.

The Head of the President’s Office reminded that in November it will be 90 years since the Holodomor tragedy of 1932-1933 – the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, the Ukrainian nation has personally experienced what hunger is like, and understands the importance of implementing this initiative.

“It is symbolic that these days we are reminding the world of this tragedy, and we do not want something similar to happen again with other nations,” Andriy Yermak said.

According to him, Ukraine seeks to involve international partners in the implementation of this initiative, relevant consultations have already begun.

As Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov noted, with the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the world realized the important role played by Ukrainian grain in stabilizing the world food market. In particular, obstacles created by Russia in the export of Ukrainian grain cause fluctuations in the price of grain on the world market.

He stated: many countries, even with a working grain corridor, cannot afford to buy grain for their needs, therefore the humanitarian initiative of the President of Ukraine is necessary.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Andriy Sybiha noted: Russia has undermined global food security, but despite its full-scale aggression, Ukraine is still ready to be and acts as a guarantor of food security in the world.

Summarizing, the Head of the President’s Office emphasized that Ukraine is ready to help even at a time when it itself continues to fight the enemy and defend its independence and territorial integrity. “Today, the world must understand that Ukraine continues to fight, but also saves the world,” Andriy Yermak said.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 7 November 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with American businessman and philanthropist Howard Buffett.

The Head of State thanked for supporting the project to create a kitchen factory initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska. “This project is important,” he emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed Howard Buffett about the security situation in our country, in particular in the context of shelling of energy infrastructure facilities by the aggressor country. Among other things, the President focused on strikes by Iranian kamikaze drones used by Russia.

The President emphasized the importance of strengthening the air defense system of Ukraine. The Head of State noted that the Ukrainian people are fighting for their land and continue to work despite the challenges facing our country due to Russian aggression.

For his part, the American businessman confirmed his readiness to act as a donor for the purchase of electrical equipment and generators to provide energy to critical facilities: pumping stations, hospitals and mobile heating points – in order to overcome the energy crisis.

The interlocutors also discussed the possibility of Howard Buffett’s participation in the Ukraine Reconstruction Fund, which the Ukrainian government is currently working on, as well as in private projects in our country.

The President awarded the philanthropist with the Order of Yaroslav the Wise of the V degree for his significant merits in strengthening interstate cooperation, supporting the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and a significant contribution to the popularization of the Ukrainian state in the world.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 4 November 2022.

On the occasion of Railway Workers’ Day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with employees of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC and presented state awards.

“Together we have endured 254 days of full-scale invasion. And not only what we have endured during this time is important, but also the fact that we have preserved our humanity, the ability to help each other despite everything,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

As the Head of State emphasized, thanks to the work of the Ukrainian railway, thousands of lives were saved, while the railway workers worked under enemy fire.

“The work of the Ukrainian railway demonstrates this very well – it demonstrates how you protected our state during these more than eight months,” the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that from the first hours of the full-scale Russian invasion, railway workers managed to reorganize their work in accordance with the new conditions, which made it possible to maintain the efficiency of transportation.

According to the Head of State, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, thanks to the work of railway workers, millions of Ukrainians have been evacuated from the war zones.

“The defense of our state is fully ensured. Our economy is supported. Hundreds of thousands of jobs in various sectors of the economy depend on the clarity of work of each and every one of you. And this is the well-being of millions of people,” the President is convinced.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the significant contribution of Ukrzaliznytsia to overcoming the fuel crisis and noted that the company’s employees currently help fight the aggressor’s energy terror.

The Head of State emphasized that after the liberation of the occupied territories, railway workers are trying to restore connections with the cities and districts from which the enemy was ousted as fast as possible.

“The work of our railway workers fully reflects the Ukrainian spirit – courage, zeal, selfless work, confidence that we will not give up our freedom to anyone,” the President stated.

Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov noted that with the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, Ukrzaliznytsia managed to adjust its work extremely quickly in accordance with the needs of the martial law.

“The transition to military rails happened very quickly. A lot has been done since February 24. This is both evacuation and support for the entire economy. We needed many things from the point of view of our exports. When the ports did not work, the railway worked, when there was no export of agricultural products by sea, the railway exported,” he said.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, Chairman of the Board at JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”, noted that “iron” has become a national resource of Ukraine. The railway helps the Ukrainian army, in particular, more than 10,000 anti-tank hedgehogs were made from railway tracks throughout the country.

“When the war started, all railway workers from day one were doing what we now call “the backbone of the country’s security.” More than 4 million people were evacuated. Over a million children and over 120,000 pets. We saved everyone, everything we could,” said the head of Ukrzaliznytsia.

Also, according to him, Ukrzaliznytsia transported more than 300,000 tons of humanitarian cargo.

“Iron diplomacy” has become a good support for the President’s diplomatic front and has transported more than 200 delegations to date,” noted Oleksandr Kamyshin.

He said that despite the challenges of the war, constant enemy shelling of the railway infrastructure, the execution of the schedule of train movement is more than 85%.

“We will definitely be able to provide quality service to our citizens,” assured the Chairman of the Board of Ukrzaliznytsia.

The President of Ukraine thanked the railway workers for their selfless work.

“Glory to all our warriors who are fighting on the frontline! Glory to all our railway workers who are fighting at their workplaces,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He presented state awards to the employees of Ukrzaliznytsia, who were celebrated for their personal contribution to the development of railway transport, dedication and high professionalism demonstrated in ensuring the functioning of railway infrastructure facilities under martial law.

“People on the ground showed real heroism. And today we will celebrate such people with awards. I will do it with honor and pleasure,” the Head of State emphasized.