Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 27 April 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held an online meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states in Ukraine, dedicated to the issue of continuing a balanced, coordinated, tough and effective sanctions policy against the Russian Federation.

He said that Ukraine has withstood the first, most acute phase of the Russian invasion. But to win, our state needs both the strengthening of the capabilities of the Armed Forces, first of all – weapons, and an extremely effective sanctions policy on the part of partners.

“We are not so naive as to expect that economic pressure on the aggressor country will lead to a speedy end to hostilities. However, this second front – the front of international sanctions – will significantly limit Russia’s aggression. Usually, the best pacifier was economic hardship,” the head of the President’s Office said.

Yermak presented to the ambassadors the Action Plan on Strengthening Sanctions against the Russian Federation, developed by the Yermak-McFaul International Expert Group established by the Head of the President’s Office and Ambassador Michael McFaul following the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

According to Yermak, the plan is aimed at depriving Russia of the finances, production capabilities and technologies used for the war, forcing Russia to focus on overcoming its internal problems and forcing Russian citizens to pay for supporting aggression.

“Coordinated, comprehensive and effective actions of a wide range are needed. We must force sanctions to work without failures and imitations against entire sectors of the Russian economy,” he said.

First of all, it is a question of a full oil and gas embargo, the need to introduce a scheme that will deprive Russia of access to funds for oil and gas exports.

Yermak singled out comprehensive sanctions against financial institutions in Russia and Belarus, Russia’s inclusion in the FATF blacklist and the list of terrorist sponsors among other points of the plan.

Restrictions should also affect export-import and insurance operations and include transport measures such as the complete closure of maritime services.

The head of the Office of the President also stressed the importance of increasing transparency and deepening coordination between the countries participating in the sanctions. Particular attention should be paid to the introduction of secondary sanctions mechanisms, which should be aimed at intermediaries who provide services in circumvention schemes.

“I think that weapons and sanctions policy are the most important tools from your states to support Ukraine and the whole free democratic world, which our country is defending today, to end this war,” Andriy Yermak said.

For his part, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on states that stand side by side with Ukraine to make it a rule that there are no taboos on sanctions until Russia is stopped.

The foreign minister also invited the partner countries to adopt the Yermak-McFaul Plan as a roadmap for what sanctions should be applied against Russia.

He also drew attention to the importance of encouraging the business of these countries to leave the Russian Federation as soon as possible.

“Ukraine and Ukrainians are now acting decisively and sacrificing themselves for the victory in this war. We thank you for standing by us, and we ask you to do everything possible to end this war as soon as possible,” Kuleba said.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 27 April 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference with former Director of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Attorney John E. Smith focusing on national security and sanctions.

Smith and his company advise Ukraine on sanctions free of charge, focusing on blocking the Russian Federation’s assets and imposing personal restrictions.

“Sanctions and weapons are very important to us. But we understand that when this terrible war continues and Russia continues to kill our people, destroy our cities, the sanctions that have already been imposed will not be enough. We know about your extensive experience and understanding of this issue, awareness of the specifics of Russia, so we will be interested to hear your opinion on opportunities to increase sanctions pressure,” Yermak said.

For his part, Smith said that he considers it an honor to work with the team of the President of Ukraine and help our country in this difficult time.

He stressed the importance of establishing close and continued contact between the Ukrainian side and the administration of US President Joseph Biden.

Smith noted the plan developed by the Yermak-McFaul group to strengthen sanctions against Russia. According to him, the document should be divided according to priorities in the energy and financial sectors.

In addition, according to the US attorney, it is important to achieve the introduction of secondary sanctions.

“I fully agree with the identified priorities. We have the historical support of Ukraine in the United States. That is why it is important to continue this work,” Yermak said.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 27 April 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes the Russian Federation is trying to destabilize the situation in the Transnistrian region, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready for a possible escalation by Russian troops in the temporarily occupied territory of the Republic of Moldova.

Answering journalists’ questions after a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in Kyiv, the Ukrainian Head of State said that he fully shares the assessment of the situation by Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that he discussed that issue with Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă who was in Kyiv on Tuesday.

“We clearly understand that this is one of the steps of the Russian Federation. The special services are working there. It’s not just about fake news. The goal is obvious – to destabilize the situation in the region, to threaten Moldova. They show that if Moldova supports Ukraine, there will be certain steps,” the President said.

According to him, Ukraine knows that the Russian troops, which have been present in the territory of the temporarily occupied part of Moldova – Transnistria for many years, are in constant readiness.

“But we understand their capabilities, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready for this and are not afraid of them,” the Ukrainian Head of State assured.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 April 2022.

On the 36th anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to employees of the Chornobyl NPP who provided safety at the nuclear power plant even in the difficult conditions of Russian occupation and saved the world from another man-made disaster.

“We are grateful to those who saved the world from the second catastrophe in 2022. I would like to thank the staff of the Chornobyl station and all the workers of the Exclusion Zone who worked, stayed at the station and ensured uninterrupted work at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in truly inhumane conditions – under occupation and direct threat to their lives. In conditions when the Russian invaders turned out to be so barbaric that they did not understand where they came and what radiation safety is,” the President said during a meeting with Chornobyl workers at the Office of the President of Ukraine.

“Our specialists have worked really professionally, to the maximum, to maintain the normal operation of all Chornobyl facilities,” he added.

The President also thanked the Ukrainians who under occupation ensure the operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.

“After that terrible night, when Russian tanks fired at the buildings of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, the safety of this facility is ensured only by the professionalism and integrity of our nuclear specialists – real heroes,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

For loyalty to the Ukrainian people, significant personal contribution to overcoming the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster, courage and dedication shown in ensuring the operation of Chornobyl facilities under occupation during the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, conscientious performance of professional duties the President presented state awards to ChNPP employees.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 April 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi who is on a visit to Ukraine.

The Head of State stressed that today, on the 36th anniversary of the Chornobyl accident, it has to be said that the world is once again one step away from catastrophe due to Russia’s actions.

“For the Russian military, the Chornobyl zone and the station were allegedly normal territory for hostilities. A territory where they did not even try to take care of nuclear safety,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with media representatives following the meeting.

The President noted that the level of the nuclear threat provoked by Russia was discussed during the meeting with the IAEA Director General.

“No other country in the world since 1986 has posed such a major threat to nuclear security, to Europe and the world, that Russia has posed since February 24. Russia kept a contingent in the Chornobyl zone with armored vehicles, which destroyed the soil surface and raised an extraordinary amount of dust into the air, including radioactive particles,” the President stressed.

In addition, according to the President, the occupiers destroyed the dosimetric control points and looted the radiation monitoring system.

“In the Chornobyl zone, the Russian occupiers looted and destroyed a nuclear analytical laboratory on the territory of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. For the Russian military, the Chornobyl zone and station were a military bridgehead, just as the bridgehead is now the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. There is also a risk of catastrophe from Russia’s launch of cruise missiles that fly over nuclear power plant units,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He stressed that given the level of threat, the reaction to Russia’s actions was extraordinary, and that country has no right to turn nuclear energy into weapons, as well as to blackmail the world with nuclear weapons.

“All this must be punished. We hope for the full support of the IAEA and the entire international community in our efforts to ensure nuclear safety in Ukraine, in Europe in the context of the Russian war and Russia’s complete disregard for radiation safety requirements,” said the President.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the world must stop nuclear blackmail by Russia and restore the fundamental principles of nuclear safety and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

“We also have to work together to address a number of critical issues that were discussed today. This is a question of depriving Russia of disproportionate representation in the IAEA. I am convinced that our state has the right to be represented in the IAEA Board of Governors. We also raised the issue of Russia compensating for all the damage caused to our nuclear facilities,” the President stressed.

According to the President, Ukraine has proposed an initiative to deploy peacekeepers to ensure the security of the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

“In no case can this station be transferred to Rosatom’s control. We discussed all the acute issues of nuclear security that arose due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and as a result of nuclear blackmail, which Russia has consistently resorted to during the war,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President reminded that on the night of March 4, when the Russian occupiers seized the Zaporizhzhia NPP, he held talks with the leaders of the partner countries.

“We called everyone, we wanted a tough reaction from the world. We warned everyone that there could be a new nuclear catastrophe at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is like six Chornobyls, and that it could simply destroy Europe. We also spoke with Mr. Grossi that today we expect from the world, from its leaders, from the IAEA a firm, decisive position, an effective response that will ensure Ukraine’s control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,” said the President.

He stressed that Ukraine will hold a dialogue with its IAEA partners and insist on measures to restore nuclear security in Europe and around the world.

For his part, Rafael Mariano Grossi said that today, on the 36th anniversary of the disaster, he visited the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, where he thanked the employees of the station for their work, courage and professionalism.

“We could not imagine that this path would take us where we did not expect to end, that it is not over and that tragic events will continue in this area,” he said.

The IAEA leader stressed the importance of further cooperation and support for Ukraine in difficult times.

“My task, among other things, is to ensure that the country’s nuclear power plants, which are important in the world in terms of electricity supply, are not threatened. That is why the IAEA is in Ukraine and will continue its work. Today, we agreed to provide assistance and special work to restore the capacity of the damaged infrastructure,” said Rafael Mariano Grossi.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 April 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Romania Nicolae Ciucă who was on a visit to Kyiv.

“Your visit is an important clear signal of support for Ukraine in the war against the Russian Federation,” the President stressed.

The President of Ukraine informed the Prime Minister of Romania about the situation on the frontline, the heroic defense of Mariupol.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Romanian government for the assistance Romania provides to our defense forces.

During the discussion of the issue of counteracting Russian aggression, it was noted that one of the critical elements of such counteraction is the sanctions pressure on the aggressor, which needs to be strengthened and which should become a key element in forcing Russia to peace.

“Thank you for your clear position on the sanctions policy against the Russian Federation during the war it unleashed on our territory,” the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the next, sixth package of EU sanctions against Russia should contain truly effective decisions, especially in the energy sphere.

The President of Ukraine praised Bucharest’s assistance in organizing a critical transit to Ukraine – international humanitarian aid, the goods we need and energy resources. Further steps were agreed to deepen such cooperation.

To this end, it has been agreed to hold a separate meeting at the ministerial level soon.

The Head of State noted Romania’s readiness to join Ukraine’s post-war development.

The European integration agenda was discussed separately. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Nicolae Ciucă for Romania’s clear support for the Ukrainian people’s desire to become a full member of the European family as soon as possible. An important component of the common European future will be the absolute protection and development of our national minorities – the Ukrainian community in Romania and the Romanian community – in Ukraine.

The parties also discussed other topical issues on the agenda and touched upon regional issues.

Following the talks, the President expressed his conviction that Ukraine and Romania should reach a new level in all key areas of bilateral relations.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 April 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital. He visited two orphans from Mariupol who were taken out of the city by the Russian occupiers, but the Ukrainian authorities managed to return them, now they are taken care of by their relatives.

As a result of active hostilities in Mariupol, Ilya Matvienko and Kira Obedinska lost their parents. The children suffered injuries of varying severity. The occupiers took them to the territory not controlled by Ukraine.

The return of children was made possible by the systematic and coordinated work of all relevant authorities. The President kept this issue under constant control.

“We are most worried about the children. Children are our future. We will fight for every Ukrainian child to return home,” the President said.

At the hospital, Volodymyr Zelenskyy talked to Ilya Matvienko, who turned 10 today, and his grandmother. The boy’s mother died during the bombing of Mariupol by the Russian army.

The President inquired about his health and plans. Doctors told the President about the child’s injuries and assured that the boy would get back on his feet. Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ilya Matvienko on his birthday.

The President also visited 12-year-old Kira Obedinska. Her father, Yevhen Obedinsky, a multiple Ukrainian water polo champion and former captain of the national team, died in Mariupol. Her mother died a long time ago. Her grandfather, honored coach of Ukraine in water polo Oleksandr Obedinsky after the beginning of the Russian invasion, temporarily lives in Chernivtsi, and is currently in hospital with his granddaughter.

The Head of State also met with Okhmatdyt doctors and presented state awards to them.

“Thank you for your important daily work, for saving the lives of Ukrainians. You are also on your frontline, like our military,” he said.

 

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 April 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida.

The Head of State noted the symbolism of the conversation on the day of the 36th anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy.

“Today, during the aggression against Ukraine, Russia resorts to “nuclear terrorism”, as evidenced by the seizure of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the threat of using nuclear weapons,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In this context, it was noted that Japan understands the price of nuclear tragedies better than anyone else.

The President thanked for the consistent position of Japan in support of Ukraine and for the personal active role of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

“We appreciate Japan’s clear position in increasing sanctions pressure on Russia, as well as humanitarian and financial support for Ukraine in overcoming the consequences of large-scale Russian aggression,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The interlocutors exchanged views on additional measures that Japan could take to support international efforts to counter Russian aggression.

The Head of State noted the importance of joint efforts to strengthen the international anti-war coalition and expressed hope that Japan would be one of the parties to the future security agreements on Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also invited Japan to join the post-war reconstruction of our country.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 25 April 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a meeting on the issue of bringing to justice those Russian war criminals who have committed and continue to commit crimes on the territory of Ukraine.

He reminded that a strong team of lawyers has been formed in our country, which prepares lawsuits in international courts. At the same time, according to Andriy Yermak, it is necessary to create a system to identify all these criminals and obtain the necessary information about them.

In particular, the so-called Book of Torturers has already been initiated – a collection of information about every Russian war criminal involved in atrocities in Ukraine.

“The main goal, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said many times, and I think this is the opinion of every Ukrainian today: everyone who has committed these horrible crimes in our country, wherever he may be, must be punished,” stressed the Head of the Office of the President.

Andriy Yermak noted that all the necessary resources of our country and foreign partners who strongly support Ukraine in this issue will be involved in this.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Andriy Smyrnov believes that now it is necessary to synchronize the efforts of all pre-trial investigation bodies in the exchange of information obtained about specific war criminals – both privates and officers of the enemy army.

The process of identifying and verifying the data obtained must continue until the last of these criminals is identified.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 25 April 2022.

To stop the war, it is necessary to continue to support Ukraine, including with weapons, as well as to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and those who adopt terrible decisions to exterminate Ukrainians. This was stated by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak in an interview with Fox News.

He thanked the American people and the US leadership for the assistance to our country, in particular for the recent decision on $ 800 million in defense support.

“There has never been such international support in our history. This is a historic moment. First of all, for the world, which has demonstrated that unity is possible,” Andriy Yermak said.

At the same time, he stressed that the war continues and the Ukrainian state needs further assistance.

“At the moment we do not have enough (weapons – ed.). We keep getting them. I hope that at the most important moment we will be ready, and our partners will do everything that was agreed and on time. Sometimes in life it is important to receive things on time,” said the Head of the Office of the President.

According to him, Ukraine needs MiG fighters, but will also welcome F-16s or other new aircraft.

Andriy Yermak stressed that the war continues, the Russians continue to destroy Ukrainian cities and kill people: military and civilians, including women and children.

“Therefore, it is clear that the existing sanctions are not enough,” he said.

According to the Head of the Office of the President, an international expert group has been set up at the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, co-chaired by Andriy Yermak and Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Former US National Security Adviser Michael McFaul. The main goal of this group is to analyze the sanctions imposed on Russia and develop proposals to increase sanctions pressure.

In particular, he noted, the group of experts came to the conclusion that it is necessary to impose a full embargo on Russian energy and sanctions against all Russian banks.

It is also necessary to expand the circle of individuals subject to sanctions, as many Russians support the war, in particular by participating in decision-making and carrying out orders to exterminate the civilian population of Ukraine.

“Recognition of Russia as a state – sponsor of terrorism will allow launching additional sanctions mechanisms. After all, the main goal of any sanctions is to stop the war. It is important to put pressure on Russia, on Russian business close to the Kremlin in order to stop the adoption of heinous decisions,” the Head of the President’s Office said.

Andriy Yermak is convinced that the Ukrainians will definitely win, but the support of friends is important in the war.

“Our victory will be common. This will be the greatest victory of Ukraine and at the same time the victory of the United States. Probably that in the future this struggle will be called Ukraine’s war for freedom,” he concluded.