Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 May 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Former US National Security Adviser, Ambassador Michael McFaul, who are chairing the international working group on sanctions against Russia held a regular online meeting to discuss further steps to increase sanctions pressure.

The main focus was on the institution of sanctions against the leadership of the Russian Federation and Russian oligarchs close to power. This topic will be reflected in the new work of the expert group.

In addition, Andriy Yermak and Michael McFaul discussed Ukraine’s international security guarantees, as well as preparations for a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Stanford University in late May.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 May 2022.

If the leader of a nuclear state publicly accepts the use of nuclear weapons by his country, this should be a reason for severe response and preventive sanctions, as it violates international agreements. This was emphasized by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during online communication with students of leading universities in France, representatives of academia and the media.

The Head of State reminded that he had repeatedly raised the issue of threats of using nuclear weapons by the Russian Federation, in particular at the Munich Security Conference in February this year, shortly before the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The President noted that Russia is not the only one in the world to voice such threats, and the worst thing is if it uses not only threats, but also its nuclear capabilities, as this will be a signal to everyone that this is possible.

“Therefore, I believe that there should be preventive sanctions. If a person talks about it in the media, if he or she says it publicly and threatens to use nuclear weapons in case… Then it is not even interesting what this person says. In case of what? Such ultimata are not worth attention at all. This indicates that any agreement on the non-use of nuclear weapons has already been discredited,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

According to him, such discrediting occurred after Russia violated the Budapest Memorandum and after public threats to use nuclear weapons.

The Head of State is convinced that Russian President Vladimir Putin is primarily responsible for this situation.

“Because not everyone in Russia stands in favor of using nuclear weapons against Ukraine or the world. I’m sure of it. There are many people who support both Ukraine and the civilized way of resolving any military conflicts, and support peaceful settlement. But, unfortunately, due to the information policy, their percentage in Russia is getting smaller and smaller,” he said.

The President of Ukraine also noted that he fully supports the approach to the need for nuclear disarmament.

“If we do not control the violation of international law by a nuclear state, it means that we do not control the future, even the possible use of a nuclear weapon. And if we can’t do that, we need to raise the issue of abolishing the possibility of using certain weapons, the availability of these weapons in a particular state. This is the only way out,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 May 2022.

Ukraine wants to return the occupied territories, as well as to defend the freedom and human rights that the Russian aggressor is trying to take away from Ukrainian citizens. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an online conversation with students of leading universities in France, representatives of academia and the media.

“The war will end for the Ukrainian people only when we get back what’s ours. We do not need too much, because everything needs to be watched, we need only what’s ours. We want to return peace to our state, to our land,” he said.

“We want to get our land back, because our history is tied with it, it is respect for international law,” the President stressed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that today Ukraine is forced to fight for the right to life at the cost of the lives of its citizens.

“When we return everything ours, we will end this war. I wish Russia would hear people like you (it doesn’t hear us), hear the leaders of the world. I wish it would be put at the negotiating table, and understand the inevitability of punishment and the great erroneousness of its steps,” the President said.

According to the Head of State, any negotiations, including peace talks, should take place through dialogue, not ultimata.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the chances of ending the war through diplomacy decrease every time Russian troops commit heinous crimes against Ukrainians, as happened in Bucha and Mariupol.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 May 2022.

I am glad to greet you from our capital, from Kyiv.

Today is the 77th day of Russia’s full-scale war against our state. And it happens 77 years after the end of the largest war in Europe – World War II.

When that war ended, political leaders and nations sought to create a security architecture that would make it impossible to repeat the war in Europe. And when I say the word “security” now, I use it in the broad sense of the word. It is not only a military component, but also economic, political, educational, cultural and memorial.

Europeans have done a lot to ensure that the continent always has the opportunity to resolve any issues through dialogue. Through communication. So that it is not possible for one politician, one person or a group of politicians to provoke a large-scale war again, which will take thousands or even millions of lives.

And, by the way, the contribution of students, including French students, to such changes in Europe is extremely significant. Since May 1968, there has been no politician who would not fear that people would come to him and say: it is forbidden to forbid. But why, despite all this, all this history, do we in Europe now have no tool to stop Russian aggression, except the courage and wisdom of Ukrainian men and women who defend our state?

How did it happen that the whole security architecture that was created in Europe after World War II did not work? And not only did not work, but to a large extent did not even try.

77 days of brutal Russian war, which can truly be called a total war to destroy the Ukrainian people. Cities and villages in Ukraine were destroyed. You know this. There is nothing left of the city of Volnovakha in Donbas. Before this war about 20 thousand people lived there. Now it’s all ashes. The half-million city of Mariupol is now just ruins. How many people are there now? Several tens of thousands out of half a million. At least 20,000 Mariupol residents were killed by Russian strikes at the city. Unfortunately, there are many such examples in Ukraine.

Today, 12 million people have been forced to flee the war and become internally displaced persons.

More than 10,000 Russian military crimes have been recorded. And this is just what is legally recorded as of this day.

How did all this become possible? And why are no global or European institutions enough now to stop this war?

You know, I don’t want these questions to remain rhetorical. These questions really need to be answered, because these questions are actually about you and me, about Europe. About how we all live. From the Atlantic region to our cities, our communities in the Kharkiv region and in Donbas, which right now, right now, while we are here with you, are being fired upon by Russian troops from artillery, aircraft, and so on.

I was told that the rules of our meeting today provide for my address and the opportunity for five students to ask certain questions. I think this is still an unfair regulation. Five questions are not enough to understand a person and to understand the situation. And it will look like a privilege for a few when thousands listen to us. But I understand that you and I have limited time.

I’m also interested in asking you questions to hear what you think. So that it is really communication.

For example, about NATO. About world security. About the architecture of this security. About the 5th article of the Treaty. For years, Europe has feared Ukraine’s accession to NATO, because if a war broke out with Russia – they said so – everyone would have to fight against it. I would rather say – for Ukraine.

But isn’t that the point of NATO? Isn’t that all for one? And if Russia goes further, for example to the Baltic countries, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia – any country. Will NATO fight against Russia, for example, for Latvia? Will Article 5 work then, given that most of you have never been to Latvia and may not even have ties to that country?

There is also another aspect to this. Russia has already started a war against Ukraine, but we are not in NATO. And then why are we not in the European Union? Russia has already started a war. And you see how it fights.

What else can you be afraid of now? And why does our common European home still have an internal division between those who were admitted and Ukraine? Which is behind the door, but at the same time fighting, defending European values, EU values: freedom and other fundamental values.

And here is my second question to you: why did one person, Vladimir Putin, decide to start a war? It was a wrong and catastrophic decision. But why did he still approve it?

And is there now in Europe, perhaps even in France or in any other country, a man or woman who can also start such a war against neighbors? Of course, I don’t want that for anyone. But are we protected from this? Are you protected from this?

One more question of mine to you – why did the Russian military, when occupying the territory of Ukraine, torment people with such pleasure and so massively? Why didn’t they just shoot or capture or kill people like in war. Why did they rape, why did they torture people? Why did they cut off people’s heads, fingers, why did they break legs? Why did Russian soldiers rape children in front of their parents? How can you – already adults – explain this? In your opinion, did they have just such an order or are they just like that?

For example, a nine-year-old girl. Or an eleven-year-old boy. What should be in the head of a Russian soldier who rapes them in front of their parents, in front of their mother? Hundreds of such crimes have been recorded. There was even a Russian soldier who raped a baby and recorded a video of it, and then showed it to everyone. And how many such cases were in the occupied territories, about which we do not know yet?

During World War II, the Nazis committed horrific crimes against all the nations of Europe. In particular, against Ukrainians and against Russians. For 77 years, much has been done to preserve the memory of those terrible crimes, which would ensure that they will never happen again. But why did the Russian military, when they came to Ukraine, start doing what the Nazis did? How did this become possible?

My next question to you is: when will justice be restored? Why is there still no tool in the world that can bring all war criminals to justice quickly? Exactly quickly.

Of course, our state will do everything to bring to justice every war criminal. And I am grateful to everyone who helps us. In particular, France. But there is an aspect of time. How long will it last? When will murderers and torturers receive sentences? And how to get them for trial, if they hide in Russia and if nothing changes there?

There are many people of the future and different professions among you, and there are lawyers among you. Let them find the answer.

So what can we do to speed up international justice? And what punishment do these criminals deserve? Specifically which one? What could be enough punishment for raping a child or shooting cars with refugees right on the roads just for fun? There were hundreds and thousands of such cases.

And my fifth question to you is not difficult – personal. What influences politics and what influences the decision whether to engage in politics? Are you ready to get involved in politics? Would you like your father to be President? President of a state that defends itself in war and fights not just for independence, but literally for the right to life for its people? Or President of France – a state in peace?

I want to explain my feelings to you. The feelings when you have a double responsibility – both for the state, because you are the President, and for your family, which found itself in a very special situation.

When I decided to run for president, my daughter (she’s now 18) was against it – totally. She was aware of how much life would change. It is a question of publicity, a question of security, certain responsibility – of the children of the President already.

What do you think about it? And how would you feel now if you were the son or daughter of the President?

So, as I understand, we have little time. And I would like you to give answers to my questions. And I can answer yours. It is important for this meeting of ours to be truly communication. And I would like to hear from you.

At the end, I can ask the last question. If I get all the information from you.

Thank you for your attention!

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra who are on a visit to our country.

The President praised the comprehensive support provided by the Netherlands and Germany to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

“Personal visits to Kyiv are an important gesture of solidarity with Ukraine on the part of your states – our allies and partners,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The key attention during the meeting was paid to the further practical support of Ukraine by Germany and the Netherlands in the fight against Russian aggression, in particular in the field of defense.

“We have to win the fight for common values. It is through joint efforts with European partners, the European family, that we can win. Protect our citizens, our territories,” the President of Ukraine stressed.

The Head of State noted the clear position of the Netherlands and Germany on strengthening EU sanctions on Russia. He expressed hope that the sixth package of EU sanctions on Russia, which contains an oil embargo, would be approved immediately.

There was also a substantive exchange of views on Ukraine’s European integration. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked for the high level of public support in the Netherlands and Germany for our country’s membership in the EU and stressed that the immediate granting of candidate status will be a recognition of the contribution of Ukraine and Ukrainians to the protection of European values.

The issues of economic support for our state in the conditions of Russian aggression were also discussed during the meeting. The President invited the Netherlands and Germany to join the reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular as part of the initiative of patronage over Ukrainian regions or sectors of the economy.

The Head of State stressed the importance of developing an international plan for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, similar to the historic Marshall Plan.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić.

The President noted the rapid and effective response of the Council of Europe to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The exclusion of the aggressor country from this organization, which promotes the principles of human rights, the rule of law and democracy, testified to the unity of European states in combating tyranny and dictatorship.

“I want to thank you for the fact that the Council of Europe became the first international organization to expel Russia for its actions,” said the President of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with Marija Pejčinović Burić concrete ways to support Ukraine at this difficult time for our country. The parties discussed, among other things, initiatives to establish a group of legal experts to assist the Office of the Prosecutor General, as well as the launch of a new online platform Cities4Cities to support local communities in Ukraine.

One of the key issues for our state is the protection of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories. In this regard, the ways of monitoring the situation by the Council of Europe were discussed.

“All gross human rights violations by the Russian occupation administration in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine must be recorded and punished in the future,” the President stressed.

The President called on the Council of Europe to make every effort to stop Russia’s illegal deportation of Ukrainian citizens from the temporarily occupied areas and combat zones, and to work with other international partners to ensure the return of Ukrainians from the aggressor’s territory.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a video conference with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. During the conversation, the President announced the transfer of the second part of the completed questionnaire to obtain the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the second part of the questionnaire was passed to Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Matti Maasikas.

“I think these answers are also a small victory for our team. We are waiting for the consideration and conclusions of the European Commission. I would like these conclusions to be positive. And I would like these conclusions to be provided faster thanks to you,” the President of Ukraine said.

He stressed that obtaining Ukraine’s EU membership candidate status is of great importance for the Ukrainian people and our Armed Forces, which are defending their homeland.

For her part, Ursula von der Leyen noted that the European Commission will work hard to review the completed questionnaire submitted by Ukraine to make a decision in June this year.

“I am very impressed with the speed with which you prepared the answers to our questionnaire. This will encourage the European Commission to work faster,” she said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the European Union for its support to Ukraine.

“I am thankful to you, Charles Michel and the European Union who are actively working against Russia’s occupation of part of our territory. Working with sanctions, diplomatically, financially, supporting our state with armaments,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stressed the importance of adopting the sixth package of EU sanctions against Russia, and thanked those European countries that support the introduction of an embargo on oil and gas from the aggressor country.

The President of the European Commission noted that the EU is working on imposing an embargo on imports of Russian oil products.

Ursula von der Leyen stressed that today Ukraine is fighting for common European values and democracy, so the EU will continue to provide its support, including financial support. She announced the work on the creation of the Trust Fund for the reconstruction of our country.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a video conference with President of the European Council Charles Michel who visited Odesa. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

The President congratulated the President of the European Council on the anniversary of the victory in World War II and thanked him for the visit to Ukraine.

“I am very pleased that today, at the highest level, the European Union supports Ukraine, at a time when manifestations of Nazism, unfortunately, exist and are being revived. But they should not be spread, and we are doing everything for this together,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He stressed the importance of preventing a food crisis in the world, which could be caused by Russia’s aggressive actions. After all, Russian warships in the Black Sea are blocking the passage of merchant ships to Ukrainian ports.

According to the President, our country supplies grain to almost 400 million people on the planet. Blocking the export of Ukrainian agricultural products is already leading to rising food prices in the world. As a result, it could lead to growing famine and political instability in a number of regions of the world.

For his part, the President of the European Council who visited the Odesa seaport where the blocked ship with Ukrainian grain is located stressed that wheat should be available to all people in the world so that famine does not spread across the planet.

The interlocutors stressed the importance of taking immediate measures for Russia to unblock Ukrainian ports for grain exports.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted that in the difficult moment of the Russian invasion, Ukrainians are very grateful for the bold position of Charles Michel and his personal presence in Odesa.

“The European Union supports Ukraine not in words but in deeds. Today, financial support is also very important for us,” the President said, noting that he counts on the assistance of the President of the European Council in the dialogue with African and Asian countries to support Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine also thanked for the sanctions policy of the European Union. He stressed that Ukraine is waiting for the adoption of the next packages of sanctions against the aggressor country.

“I am confident that the EU and the world will not stop at six sanctions packages. But what matters is not the number of these packages, but their effectiveness. I am convinced that the main result is peace on our land and therefore in Europe,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President also thanked Charles Michel for supporting Ukraine on its path to European integration.

“I want to thank you for your political support, for being here. For the fact that you see Ukraine in the near future equal among other members of the European family,” he said.

For his part, the President of the European Council assured that the European Union will continue to provide maximum financial and defense assistance to Ukraine. The EU has already approved a plan to support our state.

“There must be a “Marshall Plan” for your initiatives. We must mobilize global support so that you can cope with humanitarian challenges and start rebuilding Ukraine’s economy,” said Charles Michel.

He also said that in June the European Council will consider Ukraine’s application for EU candidate status.

Charles Michel noted that the Ukrainian people today are fighting not only for their homeland, but also for the common European values of democracy and freedom. And the European Union supports Ukraine and is impressed by the resilience and courage of our people.