Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 10 March 2022.

Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk said that on March 10, at 9:00 a number of evacuation routes were opened again.

According to her, within the humanitarian corridors people will be able to go by bus or use their own vehicles.

Corridors in the Sumy region are opened on the following routes:

1. Trostyanets – Sumy – Holubivka – Vilshany – Nedryhailiv – Korovyntsi – Romny – Andriyashivka – Lokhvytsia – Lubny – Poltava.

2. Krasnopillya – Verkhnya Syrovatka – Sumy – Holubivka – Vilshany – Nedryhailiv – Korovyntsi – Romny – Andriyashivka – Lokhvytsia – Lubny – Poltava.

3. Sumy – Holubivka – Vilshany – Nedryhailiv – Korovyntsi – Romny – Andriyashivka – Lokhvytsia – Lubny – Poltava.

In the Donetsk region:

1. Mariupol – Portivske – Manhush – Rozivka – Polohy – Orikhiv – Zaporizhzhia.

2. Volnovakha – Valeryanivka – Novoandriivka – Kyrylivka – Vuhledar – Pokrovsk.

In the Kharkiv region: Izyum – Mala Komyshuvakha – Barvinkove – Lozova.

In the Kyiv region: from the cities of Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Borodyanka on the route Stoyanka – Bilohorodka – Kyiv.

Where necessary, mandatory demining will be held along the route, said Iryna Vereshchuk.

In addition, she reminded that a special power line was damaged at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant captured by the Russian armed forces, as a result of which the power units remained without electricity.

“We demand immediate access for the repair crew to eliminate the damage and we ask the world community to focus its attention on this issue,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Also, as Iryna Vereshchuk noted, the Donetsk-Mariupol gas pipeline was damaged. As a result, more than a million people in the cities of Mariupol, Berdyansk and others were left without heating.

“We demand access for special vehicles and repair crews so that we can repair the gas pipeline and ensure heating,” she urged.

Iryna Vereshchuk added that she would inform about other details of the evacuation routes.

The press release published by the President of Ukraine on 9 March 2022.

A web platform https://humanrights.gov.ua/ has been created to effectively collect and process information on human rights violations by the Russian Federation during the war with Ukraine, Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak told.

“The collected facts will be used as evidence for the defense and representation of Ukraine in the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice. By his decree, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already authorized those responsible to represent and defend Ukraine’s interests in the UN International Court of Justice in the case against Russia on genocide charges. And there will be more such cases,” he stressed.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Yuliya Sokolovska noted that the Office of the President, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea managed to coordinate efforts, enlist the support of partners and promptly create an intergovernmental platform, which will help collect evidence of human rights violations in our country.

“The information received will make it possible to prosecute the Russian Federation and defend Ukraine’s interests in international courts,” she said.

In order to record human rights violations and/or crimes committed, it is necessary to fill out a form, describe the fact of human rights violations by the aggressor, attach available evidence: photos, videos, documents, information about witnesses, victims.

All information and witnesses who will provide it will be under reliable protection. The information will be processed by a qualified team of lawyers and prepared to protect the interests of our state. The evidence base will be used only in court cases of Ukraine against the Russian Federation in compliance with international standards of justice.

According to Deputy Minister of Justice for European Integration Valeria Kolomiets, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has been waging an effective legal war against the Russian Federation for eight years within the European Court of Human Rights.

“In the first week of full-scale Russian hostilities in Ukraine, we persuaded the court to take precautionary measures against the Russian Federation, which now automatically apply to each individual application that people already provide to the Court against the Russian Federation. The launch of this portal will help us more effectively and quickly establish work to protect the rights of the people of Ukraine during the military aggression of the country-invader,” said Valeria Kolomiets.

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

Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk calls on the Russian Federation to adhere to its official commitments to ensure the evacuation of civilians through the humanitarian corridors agreed upon with the participation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

As Iryna Vereshchuk said at the briefing, at 5:30 am on March 9, Ukraine received a message from the Russian side regarding the approval of routes previously proposed by our state, as well as a message about sending a letter to the ICRC with such approval.

“The military has agreed to cease fire from 9:00 to 21:00 this day. So, today from 9 o’clock in the morning the ceasefire regime is introduced on the following routes: Enerhodar – Zaporizhzhia, from Sumy in the direction of Poltava, from Mariupol in the direction of Zaporizhzhia, from Volnovakha of the Donetsk region in the direction of Pokrovsk of the Donetsk region, from Izyum of the Kharkiv region in the direction of Lozova of the Kharkiv region, as well as from the cities of Vorzel, Bucha, Borodyanka, Irpin, Hostomel of the Kyiv region to Kyiv via Stoyanka, Bilohorodka,” Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Separately, she stopped at Vorzel, where there is an orphanage with about 55 children and 26 staff members. There will be a separate operation to evacuate this facility.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the Russian Federation has undertaken a formal public commitment to cease fire from 9 am on March 9. At the same time, Iryna Vereshchuk noted that there is already a negative experience when the undertaken commitments did not work. It was in the directions Mariupol – Zaporizhzhia and Volnovakha – Pokrovsk.

“I am addressed by the residents of Volnovakha who are asking for the promise of the Russian Federation to be fulfilled today, so that people can leave the places where they are now hiding from Grads and the devastating fire that is killing them. We urge the Russian Armed Forces to adhere to their commitments and cease fire from 9:00 to 21:00. As we agreed,” Iryna Vereshchuk said.

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

Ukraine is ready to hold a dialogue with Russia on security guarantees, on the future of the occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Crimea, but is not ready to capitulate. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview for ABC News.

“I have spoken many times about NATO and publicly conveyed messages to both Russia and President Putin: we are ready for any guarantees of our country’s security from the respective states that must guarantee. And Russia is also among these states, because Russia is our neighbor,” he said.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the future Ukraine must have a collective security agreement with all its neighbors and with the participation of the world’s leading countries – the United States, France, Germany and Turkey, with which our country borders in the Black Sea.

“These will be guarantees not only for Ukraine. These will be guarantees for Russia as well, about which it is constantly talking. Although I don’t know who it is protecting itself from. Because Ukraine has never attacked anyone, it only conducted defensive actions. Because it protects the last thing we have – the family and the land,” the President stressed.

As for the demands put forward by the Russian authorities, in particular regarding the recognition of the independence of the occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the Head of State noted that a compromise is possible on this point.

“It is important to me how people who want to be part of Ukraine will live there. I am interested in the opinion of those who see themselves as citizens of the Russian Federation. However, we must discuss this issue. As well as compromises on Crimea. We cannot recognize that Crimea is the territory of Russia. I think it will be difficult for Russia to recognize that this is the territory of Ukraine. I think we are smart enough to ensure that the decision on these two issues does not cause any revolutions within societies, so that people are satisfied with this decision: both those who live in those territories and those who live in Ukraine,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy and added that before the occupation these territories were part of Ukraine.

But in order to resolve all these issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin has to start a direct dialogue, the Ukrainian President said.

“The people who elected me are not ready to surrender, we are not ready for ultimatums. But we can discuss with Russia the future of Crimea and Donbas,” the President added.

As for the so-called denazification, which Russia points out among the demands on Ukraine, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it is aimed at the destruction of the nation.

“It has happened many times in history and it has always ended very badly. It ended up for some states that they were later ashamed of starting the cleansing of the world of one nation or another. And some states were ashamed that on this terrible, bloody path, they had not defended another nation,” he said.

The President stressed that the proclamation of “denazification” is pure Nazism, it is the destruction of the Ukrainian nation.

“It was the same in the 1940s, Nazi Germany carried out denazification of the Jewish people. The same thing is happening now. I just didn’t know it could happen in today’s world. That a person who declares denazification can get some support for it. This is a crime against the nation. Because saying “denazification” and then bombing civilians is genocide against the Ukrainian people,” he said, expressing confidence that in the future the world would recognize that it was the extermination of the Ukrainian people.

When asked why he refused to leave Ukraine when he was offered it because of the threat to his life, Volodymyr Zelenskyy answered: “I refused. Because how can I? I am a citizen of this state, a legitimately elected President. If I left, I would end my life. I would be alive, but I would no longer be human. I would just be a body. I would not respect myself. And worst of all, what would I say to my children. Who am I? Did I behave as the President? As the guarantor of the Constitution? This is not just a phrase – the guarantor of the Constitution. I am the guarantor of my people. So we have to stand together. We have to defend ourselves together. That’s why I’m here. I help my country, I support my state as much as I can. I support and I am proud of my military”. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that and expressed hope for a “happy end”.

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

Today Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and independence, but the success of our struggle depends not only on our state, but also on all countries of the civilized world. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview for ABC News.

“As for how much we can endure, a lot of things depend not only on us. We will endure. And even if they enter all the cities, there will be a guerrilla war. No one will give up our freedom and independence. Today it is here, tomorrow it will be the Baltic countries, the day after tomorrow – Poland, then – Germany,” said the President of Ukraine.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a conversation with US President Joseph Biden, he discussed support for Ukraine in the sky.

“We want parity in the sky, at least so that there is a balance. We cannot give the advantage only to the Russian Federation, because it bombs us, shoots us, throws bombs, launches missiles, combat helicopters, fighters, planes – many things. We do not do that because we do not have the sky, we do not control it,” said the President.

He noted that Ukraine had asked the United States and other countries to provide Soviet-made military aircraft based in Poland.

“We have studied this issue, we know where these Soviet-made aircraft are located, in which countries. We asked them. And now a lot depends on the United States of America in this issue,” the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the US President could make additional efforts to resolve this issue.

“I am convinced that the President can do more. I’m sure he can. And I want to believe that he is able to do it,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He stressed that Ukraine today is a place of freedom in the heart of Europe, and our country needs protection of all countries that share such values.

“It seems to everyone that we are far from America, from Canada or somewhere else. No. We are freedom. And when someone crosses the borders of these rights and freedoms, we must be protected. Because at first it will be us, and then it will be you. It is always like this. Appetite comes with eating and it is getting stronger,” the President said.

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

Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk informed that the functioning of the humanitarian corridor from Sumy affected by the shelling of the Russian troops had been agreed on as of today.

“This fact was officially approved by the Russian Ministry of Defense in a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Hence, both the Red Cross and we, as the party with which the opening of the humanitarian corridor was agreed, have documental approval,” she said.

Iryna Vereshchuk noted that one route for the humanitarian corridor for evacuation of people was established: Sumy, Holubivka, Lokhvytsia, Lubny, Poltava. No other routes were agreed.

However, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ukrainian party has information that the Russian side is planning manipulations with the route, not agreed upon and dangerous, to force people to go the other way.

“We call on the Russian side not to resort to manipulative actions and to fulfill the promise, which is documented,” Iryna Vereshchuk emphasized.

Under this route, the evacuation of civilians from the city of Sumy to the city of Poltava is planned, including foreign students – citizens of the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of China. It is also a question of delivery of the corresponding humanitarian cargoes by the humanitarian corridor to the city of Sumy. In particular, food and essential medicines. The convoy of humanitarian goods will move to the city of Sumy along the route: Lokhvytsia, Andriyashivka, Romny, Nedryhailiv, Sumy.

“The Ukrainian side is ready to fully ensure all the way along the agreed route. We informed both the Red Cross and the Russian side of our readiness. It was agreed to start the silence regime on the route at 9 am Kyiv time. We announce the beginning of the silence regime. The time frame of the humanitarian corridor is from 9 am to 9 pm,” Iryna Vereshchuk said.

It was agreed that at 10 am the first column should start moving from the city of Sumy. Civilians will also follow the convoy in their own vehicles.

Iryna Vereshchuk emphasized: all obstacles to the movement of the relevant convoys must be removed along the entire route – both for people leaving the city of Sumy and for humanitarian goods delivered to the city of Sumy.

“A real ceasefire along the route of the humanitarian corridor will be the basis for informing the public about the possibility of evacuation,” she said.

According to her, the Ukrainian party has also sent to the Russian side and the Red Cross the developed routes for humanitarian corridors: Volnovakha – Zaporizhzhia, Mariupol – Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv and Kyiv region in the direction of Western Ukraine, as well as Kharkiv and Kharkiv region in the direction of Western Ukraine.

“We call on Russia to agree on these routes without delay, to inform the International Committee of the Red Cross and to ensure a stable ceasefire on these routes,” Iryna Vereshchuk noted.

She also appealed to the citizens not to trust unofficial media sources and reports from the Russian Defense Ministry.

“Trust the Ukrainian authorities. Listen, read the official media. Everything will be Ukraine!” the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine stressed.

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

During the third round of talks in Belarus, the delegations of Ukraine and Russia clarified the details of the functioning of humanitarian corridors to provide more effective assistance to people in the cities most affected by the Russian shelling. This was stated by Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office Mykhailo Podoliak after the meeting.

“We have received some positive results in terms of logistics of humanitarian corridors. They will be amended, and we will receive more effective assistance to people who are currently suffering from the aggression of the Russian Federation,” he said.

Intensive consultations will be continued on the basic, political bloc of settlement, in particular on the ceasefire and security guarantees.

“There are no results that significantly improve the situation yet,” Mykhailo Podoliak said.

“However, I emphasize once again that the consultations will be continued and we will get the result,” the Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office summed up.

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

Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova received the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award for President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which was presented by Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Frederick Ryan.

Frederick Ryan stressed that this high award honors the leadership of the President of Ukraine and the steadfastness of millions of Ukrainians who defend their right to choose their own future and inspire the entire civilized world to fight for the values of freedom and democracy to which Ronald Reagan dedicated his life. It was President Reagan who gave a decisive impetus to the destruction of the Soviet “evil empire” and paved the way for freedom and democracy for its enslaved nations in the former Soviet Union.

Today, the Kremlin regime is trying to rebuild the wreckage of the Soviet empire having started a brutal and bloody war in central Europe. Just as more than three decades ago, the “evil empire” has no chance of existence. Ukrainians, with their blood and desperate struggle, fiercely repel the aggressor, showing courage and will. Frederick Ryan quoted famous words by President Reagan: “Above all, we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today’s world do not have.”