Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 31 January 2022.

On Monday, January 31, the Office of the President will host a meeting of the delegations of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland with the participation of representatives of a number of ministries and departments of the two countries.

The Polish delegation arrived in our country to fulfill the agreements reached during the visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Republic of Poland on January 20-21, 2022.

The Ukrainian delegation will be headed by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, and the Polish delegation will be headed by Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the President of Poland, Head of the Bureau for International Policy Jakub Kumoch. In particular, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov and Minister of Infrastructure of Poland Andrzej Adamczyk will take part in the talks.

During the meeting, topical issues of bilateral cooperation in economy, energy and infrastructure will be discussed.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 29 January 2022.

On the Day of Remembrance of the Heroes of Kruty, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Ivan Bohun Kyiv Military Lyceum and met with cadets and lyceum students of military educational institutions of Ukraine.

According to the Head of State, for more than a century the Heroes of Kruty have served as an example and, together with modern defenders of Ukraine, have inspired the next generations of Ukrainian warriors.

“104 years ago on our land, in the Chernihiv region, there was a battle that went down in the history of our state as a great symbol of heroism, courage and steadfastness in the struggle for a free and independent Ukraine. As a feat of very young, inexperienced and not fully prepared cadets, students who nevertheless defended Ukraine and stopped the enemy, which had an advantage in numbers and weapons, at the cost of their own lives,” said the President.

So today, as Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, he honors the memory of the Heroes of Kruty together with the best cadets and lyceum students of educational institutions from all over Ukraine, who are mastering the military profession to join the ranks of the Ukrainian army in the future.

“When the war broke out in Ukraine, many of you were 10-12 years old. In very difficult times, you have chosen the path of the military. This is a bold, adult decision. I want you to know that Ukraine knows, sees and notes this,” the Head of State stressed.

According to him, starting this year, the best cadets will receive a monetary award from the President of Ukraine on this day every year.

“And today, some of you will be the first to receive this award. I am sure that you are ready to defend Ukraine in the future, and certainly not for money. But you should know: your state values you,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President presented certificates for the monetary award and valuable gifts to the first cadets and lyceum students.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 29 January 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the ceremony of honoring the Heroes of Kruty. The Head of State laid flowers at the memorial cross to the Heroes of Kruty at Askold’s Grave in Kyiv.

The attendees honored the memory of the deceased with a moment of silence. The National Anthem of Ukraine was played. Warriors of the honor guard saluted with personal weapons and marched near the memorial cross.

The ceremony was also attended by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny and cadets of higher military educational institutions.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 29 January 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.

The heads of state welcomed the intensification of the Normandy format and the holding of a meeting of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy Four on January 26 in Paris. It was emphasized that for the first time since 2019, a document has been agreed following the negotiations.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the important personal role of Emmanuel Macron in organizing this meeting. He also thanked the French leader for his firm and consistent support for Ukraine, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state.

The parties agreed to maintain the dynamic pace and accelerate the next meeting of advisers to the leaders of the countries participating in the Normandy format. The importance of intensifying the work of the TCG and its subgroups in order to make rapid progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements was also discussed.

“As long as there is a favorable climate for dialogue, we need to hold meetings and talks. As long as diplomatic efforts continue, the risk of further escalation is decreasing,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The Presidents of Ukraine and France praised the visit of the Ukrainian delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko to Paris the day before.

The President of Ukraine stressed the interest in the successful implementation of existing important bilateral economic agreements, as well as in the development of new specific projects.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 January 2022.

The Russian Federation must confirm the absence of intentions to attack Ukraine and its readiness to negotiate by taking concrete steps. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting with representatives of foreign media.

The Head of State believes that the dialogue can begin at least with the issue of release of detainees.

“Does anyone enjoy the fact that people are in prison? What’s the point? What is your historic victory? You went down in history because people were imprisoned?” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to him, if Russia has any questions to Ukraine, it is necessary to meet and talk, not to bring troops to the Ukrainian borders and intimidate ordinary citizens.

“I am willing to meet and I’m not afraid of any format. Bilateral format… I am ready for any format,” the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted that as President he has to knock on all the doors, appeal to all world leaders, put forward different formats and platforms to return peace to Ukraine. In particular, he would like the United States to join the negotiation process.

“I would like President Biden to be able to do that, so that we have a negotiating platform in the United States – Ukraine – Russia format,” he said.

According to the Head of State, this format could take place in parallel with the Normandy negotiation process.

“Every time I propose certain steps from our state. And I believe that President Biden can help us,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 January 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls on business representatives of partner countries to actively invest in Ukraine to provide practical support to the Ukrainian economy. The Head of State said this during a meeting with representatives of foreign media.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that any signals of support from partners are important for Ukraine.

“Such signals are more important when investments from one or another state come to Ukraine. The question is not in the volume. But if this or that business wants to protect our state and believes in its stability and stands shoulder to shoulder, wants to be a friendly, powerful partner, then you are welcome. Then this business comes to us,” the President said.

The Head of State noted that today it is not a question of obtaining a quick return on such investments, but it is a way to get a reliable partner – Ukraine.

“There will be profit in the future. This profit is the attitude to Ukraine. Therefore – welcome! Invest in the state now, show that you believe in Ukraine!” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 August 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska took part in the ceremony of awarding prominent Ukrainians with the National Legend of Ukraine award of the Head of State.

Congratulating the laureates, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that it was an honor for him today to meet each of those present – representatives of the heroic Ukrainian people.

“This award, launched a year ago, despite its short history, has an important meaning and purpose. This is a proper tribute by the state to its talents, geniuses and heroes. Those who are among us, and we should notice them. Those who, unfortunately, are no longer with us, but we must remember them,” the President emphasized.

“For the second year in a row, we award wonderful, talented and heroic citizens of our state with this award. But this year, its meaning has changed somewhat – we award not only legendary representatives of Ukraine in music, theater, and sports. The Russian Federation has changed the meaning of our lives, so today we award all those who every day, both inside the state and outside, protect our independence and sovereignty with their talent and their work – different, but extremely important,” he noted.

This year, for outstanding personal merits in the establishment of independent Ukraine and strengthening of its statehood, protection of the Motherland and service to the Ukrainian people, significant contribution to the development of national education, art, sports, health care, many years of fruitful public activity, the President’s award “National Legend of Ukraine” was awarded to nine Ukrainians, posthumously to three of them.

In particular, People’s Artist of Ukraine Maria Prymachenko was posthumously honored. The award was received by Ihor Kozhan, general director of the Andrey Sheptytsky National Museum in Lviv, where the artist’s works are currently being exhibited.

“Her name is included in the World Encyclopedia of Art. UNESCO declared 2009 the year of Maria Prymachenko. And on May 5 of this year, her painting “The Flowers Grew Around the Fourth Block” was sold at a charity auction for almost 15 million hryvnias, which were donated to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. That is, even today, a quarter of a century after her death, Maria Prymachenko lives and actually continues to help Ukraine. And today, Ukraine finally says “thank you” to her and pays tribute to her in accordance with her contribution and merits, officially and forever recognizes that she is our great Ukrainian artist. A great Ukrainian woman. Maria Oksentiivna Prymachenko is a national legend of Ukrainian painting,” said the President.

The award from the hands of Volodymyr Zelenskyy was received by chief of the guard of the fire and rescue unit of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Mykolaiv region, lieutenant of the civil protection service Ihor Ivasykov. Thanks to his actions, 17 people were rescued from the rubble of the State Administration building in Mykolaiv.

“17 lives saved. At least 17 reasons to be here today,” the Head of State emphasized.

The “National Legend of Ukraine” award was also handed over to two doctors – neurosurgeon of the department of the Institute of Neurosurgery named after academician Romodanov of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine Andriy Svyst and pediatrician of the Children’s Medical Center “Dobrobut” Olha Svyst.

“A family of doctors who ended up in Bucha almost by accident at the beginning of the war. Unable to leave the city, they called friends and asked them to adopt their children – aged five and two – if they did not return. For two weeks under constant shelling, without proper equipment, they performed extremely complex operations, rescuing seriously wounded children,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President’s award was also presented to Anatoliy Babichev, conductor of the passenger car of the Kyiv-Passenger station of JSC “Ukrainian Railway”.

“For nine days non-stop, his train has been evacuating people from Kostyantynivka, Kharkiv, Kramatorsk and Lyman. His wife Natalya worked in the same train, in another car. On the night of March 12-13, she died during the shelling of the train. Despite the personal tragedy, Anatoliy did not break down, he returned to service, to saving people,” the President said.

Hanna But, a teacher at the Melitopol Vocational Agrarian Lyceum, also became a laureate of the award.

“Despite the occupation, she raises her students to be patriots and is not afraid to tell them the truth, organized pro-Ukrainian rallies under the occupation, despite the threats and violent actions of the invaders. The video, where she, wrapped in the flag of Ukraine, demands more decisive actions from the international community, got into almost all the world’s media and social networks. Millions of people on the planet have heard: Melitopol is Ukraine,” the Head of State emphasized.

Public figure, volunteer Tata Kepler was also honored.

“Just like thousands of volunteers, she has been helping our army for eight years in a row. And it is impossible to calculate for sure how much important things for the lives of our soldiers, powerful people, were found and delivered during this time – first-aid kits, medical backpacks, tourniquets, body armor and other equipment. I want to thank all the volunteers of Ukraine in her person. Thank you very much,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The award was also given to the best football player in Europe in 2004, the head coach of the Ukrainian national football team in 2016-2021, Hero of Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko .

“Legend of Dynamo Kyiv and the national team of Ukraine. Champions League winner and Golden Ball winner. His name is included in the list of the hundred best football players in history. These and many other titles made him famous throughout the world. And now they are helping him rally the whole world to support and help Ukraine. Ambassador of the UNITED24 platform, our great athlete, great champion, our legend Andriy Shevchenko,” said the President.

Anatoliy Solovyanenko, a leading stage master of the National Opera of Ukraine in 1963-1992, a national artist and Hero of Ukraine, was posthumously awarded the title of “National Legend of Ukraine” for his significant creative work and strengthening of the country’s cultural glory. The artist’s wife Svitlana Dmytrivna and son Anatoliy received the award.

The head of the flight safety service – senior inspector-pilot of the Command of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Hero of Ukraine Colonel Ihor Bedzai was posthumously awarded as well. The wife of the fallen defender Yulia Viktorivna and daughter Maria received the award.

“Military pilot of the top class. Hero of Ukraine. Behind these titles is a whole life devoted to service for the benefit of the state. Impressive qualities and deeds. His experience is dozens of important combat missions. His students are 15 crews. His courage is ten units of aviation equipment, which he took to Mykolaiv from the blocked airfield in Saki in 2014 under extremely high risk conditions. His example is 217 warriors from Crimea who, following him, remained loyal to the oath and to Ukraine,” the Head of State said.

According to the President, on May 7, 2022, during a search and rescue operation, Ihor Bedzai’s Mi-14 was hit by a missile from an enemy aircraft, as a result of which the colonel, defending his native land, remained in the sky forever.

Those present at the ceremony honored the memory of those who gave their lives for Ukraine with a moment of silence.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that all those honored are the treasure of our state, and emphasized the importance of preserving their achievements, because after the victory over the enemy, talents must be passed from one generation to another.