Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 1 November 2022.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Andriy Smyrnov held a meeting of the working group on the creation of a special international tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

People’s deputies, representatives of the government and the Prosecutor General’s Office took part in the meeting.

Andriy Smyrnov, who is the coordinator of the working group, emphasized that despite the functioning of the mechanisms of the UN Security Council and the International Criminal Court, the creation of a special international tribunal is the only alternative for holding Russia to account for the crime of aggression.

“We are creating a special tribunal as a punishment mechanism for crimes of aggression that has no alternative. There are no other working and effective options. It is not enough to simply admit it, it must be brought to the attention of the whole civilized world. Indeed, we sincerely thank everyone who supported us on this difficult path of reviving international law and responsibility from a century-old coma. But for the sake of a peaceful future, we must punish the hostile and aggressive tumor on the world map. And we must do it as soon as possible. For the sake of peace, security and in the name of all innocent people in Ukraine executed and maimed by the aggressor country,” he said.

According to the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, the special international tribunal should become an internationally recognized and maximally legitimate legal instrument, the jurisdiction of which will be recognized by as many countries as possible.

“We call on major democracies, major continental countries, which globally shape security policy in the world, to take the role of leaders in the process of forming a special tribunal,” emphasized Andriy Smyrnov.

As noted at the meeting, the political decisions made by the partner countries in support of the creation of an international tribunal should be transformed into practical steps. Thus, in the Netherlands, it is planned to create an Interim Prosecutor’s Office so that representatives of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine can start forming the evidence base for the crime of aggression and preparing charges.

As Anton Korynevych, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed the participants of the meeting, the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe, the OSCE and NATO, as well as the parliaments of the partner countries, supported the creation of the tribunal in their resolutions.

Anton Korynevych noted that work is ongoing with representatives of the governments of other states to discuss the creation of a special international tribunal.

Representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office informed about the investigation of proceedings related to crimes of aggression.

The participants of the meeting emphasized the expediency of conducting systematic work with the parliaments of the partner countries to advocate the idea of creating a special tribunal. In addition, it is necessary to intensify the practical dialogue with the professional scientific community, mass media and international lawyers of these states.

The issue of organizing thematic events in the countries of the world with the presentation of a special international tribunal was also considered.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 1 November 2022.

As part of the regular dialogue, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of France Emmanuel Macron.

The heads of state discussed the new wave of missile terror by Russia and the security situation on the frontline.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for decisive action by the international community in response to the terrorist attacks of the Russian Federation. The President of Ukraine noted the urgency of creating an air shield over our country to protect critical infrastructure and civilians from Russian missile attacks. The parties discussed France’s further military support for Ukraine, including the provision of air defense systems.

Particular attention was paid to the issues of food security and the situation with the implementation of the grain initiative after Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from it.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine is ready to continue participating in the implementation of grain agreements together with the UN and Türkiye.

“Continuation of the initiative is critically necessary. It is an important element of global food security,” the Ukrainian Head of State emphasized.

The parties also exchanged views regarding the situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP and the ongoing nuclear blackmail by the Russian Federation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Russian accusations against Ukraine of allegedly preparing to use a “dirty bomb” are another element of nuclear blackmail on the part of Russia. He said that at the invitation of the Ukrainian side, IAEA experts visited peaceful objects in Ukraine and had the opportunity to convince themselves that the accusations of the Russian Federation were unsubstantiated.

Special attention was paid to the involvement of France in the reconstruction of our country, in particular in the restoration of energy infrastructure facilities damaged as a result of recent Russian attacks. The heads of state agreed to hold in Paris in December, in coordination with international partners, a conference on the recovery of Ukraine, which will be preceded by a separate event aimed at mobilizing French companies to support our state.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 1 November 2022.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Tymoshenko held a meeting with UNICEF Ukraine Representative Murat Sahin.

The parties discussed the issue of preparing schools for the education of Ukrainian children in war conditions and coordinated the relevant joint work.

Murat Sahin reminded that in the framework of the “Studying Together” initiative launched by the Ministry of Education and Science in cooperation with UNICEF Ukraine and First Lady Olena Zelenska to support the educational process in the current academic year, a thousand hub schools will receive USD 3 million for relevant needs.

In addition, Kyrylo Tymoshenko spoke about the government’s plans to organize heating points in the country for the winter period, where people could stay at a time when their homes may be left without heating and electricity. These points will have generators, drinking water and food, and internet connection. According to the Deputy Head of the President’s Office, about 17,000 generators will be needed for this.

“We want to equip these heating points on the basis of schools and kindergartens in big cities and in administrative buildings in rural areas,” he said.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko noted that Ukraine would welcome assistance from international organizations in the implementation of this project.

Murat Sahin emphasized the importance of such an idea and confirmed UNICEF’s readiness to support the project on the equipment of heating points in the framework of the “Studying Together” initiative in schools and kindergartens.

He also informed about the aid and projects that UNICEF has already implemented and is currently implementing in Ukraine to support citizens during the war, in particular in the coming winter period.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 1 November 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.

The Head of State thanked the European Commissioner for his visit to Ukraine precisely at the time when the energy infrastructure faces massive attacks by missiles and drones from Russia.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted the role of Kadri Simson in Ukraine’s accession to the European power grid ENTSO-E. He reminded that after accession, our state began to export electricity to Europe and can act as one of the guarantors of the stability of the EU energy system.

“Unfortunately, due to the strikes of missiles and kamikaze drones by the Russian Federation on our energy system, we have suspended this process. But I am sure that we will restore everything, and in a calmer time, when the situation in our energy system will be stabilized, we will continue exporting electricity to Europe,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the European Commissioner about the consequences of Russia’s energy terrorism, which has already seriously damaged about 40% of the entire energy infrastructure of Ukraine, in particular thermal power plants, combined heat and power plants and hydroelectric power plants, as well as about the measures taken by our state to stabilize the work of the power grid.

The interlocutors discussed further steps to ensure Ukraine’s energy security. The Head of State spoke in detail about Ukraine’s needs for the restoration of energy infrastructure and called on the European Commission to play a coordinating role in attracting assistance from EU member states.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew attention to the expediency of creating a platform to support the Ukrainian economy, in particular the energy sector, similar to the Contact Group in the “Ramstein” format.

“Such a platform, such an “economic Ramstein”, is being built and will start working. Today, the issue of energy goes hand in hand with the financial crisis and the shortage of weapons, therefore such a platform should be created,” the Head of State is convinced.

The parties paid special attention to the further strengthening of energy sanctions against the Russian Federation. The President of Ukraine called for the introduction of price caps on Russian gas in addition to the price caps on oil, as well as to limit the supply of Russian liquefied gas to EU countries in the framework of the next sanctions package, which must be approved as soon as possible.