Category: Press Releases

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

Ukraine will fight against aggression, but is ready to negotiate with Russia to end the war through diplomacy. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, answering questions from the media after negotiations with Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer in Kyiv.

“Ukraine has always said that it is ready for negotiations and will look for any ways to end the war,” the Head of State said.

At the same time, he expressed regret that a significant concentration of Russian troops in the east and south of our country is taking place in parallel with the negotiation process.

Without making predictions about possible actions of the enemy, the Head of State said that Ukraine will fight.

“Yes, the accumulation of troops continues in the east and in the south. A large number of troops, equipment, armed men who are going to occupy another part of our territories. It will be a difficult battle. We believe in our struggle, we believe in our victory. That is why we are ready to fight and at the same time look for certain ways in diplomacy that can stop this war,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

“I will tell you frankly: so far we are talking about a parallel dialogue as well,” the President added.

Commenting on the situation on the frontline, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the course of events will depend on many factors.

“It depends on our firmness. It depends on the speed of our partners in the supply of weapons. It depends on the willingness of the leader of the Russian Federation to go further. It depends on many things. First of all, everything will depend on our Armed Forces, so the most important thing is for us to be ready in any of these areas,” said the President of Ukraine.

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

At a meeting in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer discussed support for Ukraine’s path towards membership in the European Union, as well as increasing sanctions pressure on Russia to end aggression against our country.

“Several important issues were discussed regarding our bilateral relations, regarding full support for Ukraine’s future membership in the family of the European Union. We also discussed a strong sanctions policy against Russia and the increase of sanctions,” the President said during a meeting with media representatives following negotiations with Karl Nehammer.

The President thanked Austria for humanitarian aid and equipment, including fire engines for the SES, which will help Ukraine cope with the consequences of the Russian invasion.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also thanked Karl Nehammer for his visit to Ukraine at this difficult time and for his desire to see the whole truth with his own eyes, in particular, by visiting the city of Bucha.

“This is a great signal that the leaders of European countries, though not all, are beginning to come to Ukraine, supporting us not only in words. They themselves see what is happening here and what are the consequences of Russia’s invasion. This is very important for us,” the President said.

The President stressed that the Chancellor of Austria has a deep understanding of our situation and the consequences of Russia’s eight-year war against Ukraine, including after the full-scale invasion.

For his part, Karl Nehammer said that his country fully supports the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia. According to him, Austria plans to strengthen sanctions policy within the EU until the war in Ukraine ends.

The Chancellor noted that Austria supports Ukraine in all necessary matters. In particular, his country will continue to provide assistance to Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homeland due to the war.

He also stressed that Austria will make efforts to create reliable humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of Mariupol residents.

Karl Nehammer also said that representatives of the international criminal justice system should be involved in the investigation of the crimes committed in the city of Bucha.

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

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the European Union for the political, financial and military support of Ukraine and called on the EU to continue to impose sanctions on the Russian Federation until it gives up its aggressive intentions. The President made this statement during a conversation with media representatives following the negotiations with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Kyiv.

“The goal is to be in the European Union. The most important thing is that we share the same values. And it is for them that we fight – for freedom, for the rights of our people,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President also thanked Ursula von der Leyen for the financial assistance Ukraine had received during the difficult times of the war, when our country’s economy had suffered losses as a result of Russia’s military invasion.

“I know for sure that we will win and it will all work. And at this distance, right here, near us are the countries of the European Union and the EU leadership. And this financial support is very important today, when the economy is not working yet,” said the President of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the support aimed at supplying weapons to Ukraine, as well as for the EU’s sanctions policy against Russia.

“I want to thank you for a strong sanctions policy. I am grateful to the whole world, to the European Union, to Ursula von der Leyen. I am personally grateful for the fifth package of sanctions,” he said.

The Head of State stressed the importance of increasing sanctions against the aggressor country.

“Please help us with your sanctions. They must be increased, otherwise Russia does not want to hear anyone or anything,” the President is convinced.

“They took a lot from us. Both territories and people were taken away. We will be able to return the territories and we will not be able to return the people. And for all this, I am sure, there will be a great, fair responsibility,” he added.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also thanked the President of the European Commission for visiting the city of Bucha in the Kyiv region, which was liberated from the Russian occupiers.

“This is a very strong signal that Ukraine and the European Union are together. Together in the struggle for justice, dignity, in the struggle for the value of our lives, the value of human life. This is a confirmation that we will work together,” he said.

For her part, Ursula von der Leyen handed over to the President a questionnaire for Ukraine to obtain the candidate status for membership in the European Union.

“Ukraine belongs in the European family. We have heard this very important statement from all your people. And we give a positive answer to your request,” said the President of the European Commission addressing Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Your journey to the European Union begins. I’m sure it’s a close path,” she added.

Handing over the questionnaire to the President of Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen noted that this process usually takes years, but in the case of Ukraine it takes weeks.

“We are ready. We will answer everything in a week,” the President said.

The President of the European Commission also noted that Ukraine is facing a very long way to recovery, as Ukrainian cities and infrastructure are now being brazenly destroyed.

“Therefore, we want to work with you, to restore Ukraine, and this will positively determine Ukraine’s path to the European Union,” she said.

Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that what the world saw in Bucha in the Kyiv region was a challenge to humanity and a basis for excluding Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.

“Will this win or will our humanity prevail?” Will autocracy dominate or will democracy lead? Will the law of force win or the rule of law prevail? That is what is at stake in this war,” she said.

The President of the European Commission assured that in this war the EU stands side by side with Ukraine. And today, in particular, many issues were discussed on how the European Union can strengthen its support for the Ukrainian state.

“We will never be able to match the sacrifice made by the Ukrainian people, but we are mobilizing our economic power to make Putin pay a very, very high price,” said Ursula von der Leyen.

Among other things, she mentioned five waves of sanctions, noting that a new package is being prepared. According to the President of the European Commission, the EU is moving to a system of deployment of sanctions.

EU member states have also frozen $ 225 billion of private assets of Russia since the start of the war, she said.

Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Ukrainians who are currently defending their country carry the torch of freedom for the whole democratic and free world, so Ukraine will be provided with defensive support.

She reminded that our country is provided with 1 billion euros of aid, of which 120 million euros are provided for budget support, 330 million euros will be provided from the emergency package, another 600 million euros are macro-financial assistance.

“We will enable Ukrainian warriors to fight for Ukrainian and European freedom, because you are fighting for all of us,” she said.

High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said the EU would assist the Prosecutor General’s Office in providing evidence to the International Criminal Court.

He also said that the EU Delegation to Ukraine is returning to Kyiv. Josep Borrell is convinced that the embassies of the EU member states will follow this example.

“You are fighting for us. And the least we can do is give you weapons. So that you get the weapons you need to resist, to fight and to win,” said the EU High Representative.

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

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that the fight against Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine has become a factor that has united both the entire Ukrainian people and the European Union, which has united around the support of Ukrainians.

The atmosphere of dialogue and relations between Ukraine and the EU is now the best in many years, said the President during a conversation with media representatives after talks with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Kyiv.

“Unfortunately, I have to say that this is primarily due to the war. The war united Ukraine completely, united our people with authorities, that’s why Ukraine is so strong. Unfortunately, this war also brought many victims, and around this, to protect Ukraine and Ukrainians, it united the European Union. And the world in general,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President is convinced that the answers to all questions in the relations between Ukraine and the EU will be found eventually.

“The most important thing now is for us to be united. And even when the leaders of certain countries slow down certain processes, the people of all European Union states – I see it and all Ukrainians see it – take to the streets, to the squares of European cities. These people united for the sake of Ukraine,” he said.

The Head of State stressed that today it is necessary to overcome the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation towards the people of Ukraine.

“And towards the people of Ukraine means towards the people of Europe as well, because we have the same values,” the President stressed.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the imposition of sanctions is a substantial diplomatic weapon of the EU against the Russian aggressor. Therefore, it is important for these measures to be not superficially but deeply elaborated, well thought out and completed, so that Russia cannot bypass them.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Eduard Heger who is on a visit to our country.

The President thanked the Slovak people and personally the Prime Minister of Slovakia for supporting Ukraine and providing real assistance in the form of weapons that strengthen our country’s defense capabilities in times of the Russian invasion.

“I want to thank the Slovak people and the Slovak Prime Minister not for the future, but for the present, for what they are doing for us during the war. Fully supporting us, our position, condemning the aggression of the Russian Federation not only in words, but also in deeds,” said the President of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he would not disclose details of this support and stressed that this was historically important assistance.

According to the Head of State, during today’s visit of Eduard Heger to Kyiv, the Prime Minister of Slovakia also held talks with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, and many important issues for the future of our state were discussed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Slovak side for supporting Ukrainians who were forced to flee their homes due to Russia’s military invasion.

For his part, the Prime Minister of Slovakia thanked the President and the citizens of Ukraine who are fighting for the ideals of freedom and democracy, defending European values.

Eduard Heger noted that the Slovak Republic will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, because the successful struggle of our country is a success for the whole of Europe. In particular, he focused on the defense support for the Ukrainian state.

The Prime Minister of Slovakia also stressed the importance of establishing a fund for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

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

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska addressed the participants of the conference on the new Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027), which took place under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

The address of the President’s wife was read by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Italy Yaroslav Melnyk.

In her address to the participants of the event, the First Lady of Ukraine noted the importance of universal protection of children’s rights. She said that due to a full-scale Russian attack on our state, Ukrainian children cannot exercise their rights.

“Since the beginning of the war, the Russian Federation has violated the inalienable right of every child – the right to life guaranteed by the UN Convention. Due to the attack of the invader, all the rights of Ukrainian children are now completely violated. Because it turned out that for Russia all these rights do not matter. Our children’s right to medical treatment has been violated, as more than 270 medical institutions have been damaged or completely destroyed. The right to education has been violated. Despite the Safe Schools Declaration, more than 300 educational institutions have been intentionally damaged or destroyed. And about four million – half of our children! – became displaced persons: they no longer have their usual home. What’s worse is that there are hundreds of children in Ukraine with whom we have no contact. We simply don’t know anything about their fate! They are with their parents in the cities occupied by Russians or for which fighting is taking place,” said the First Lady.

She announced a moment of silence for 165 Ukrainian children whose deaths were confirmed at the time of her speech.

Olena Zelenska thanked the Council of Europe, which responded immediately to the unjustified and unprovoked aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and on March 16 completed the procedure for excluding Russia from the organization, in accordance with Article 8 of its Charter.

At the same time, the President’s wife stated that the skies over Ukraine were never closed to Russian planes: “From the very beginning of the war, we asked NATO to close the skies over our cities, over Ukraine. To prevent bombs and rockets from falling on people. We were not heard. Well, now I ask you to at least ensure the right of children to get out of danger. They need real humanitarian corridors, because now the enemy is shooting at civilian cars as well as at military ones.”

She also called on the participants to ensure, in accordance with the declared goal of “child-friendly justice”, an international investigation and punishment for all Russians who in one way or another have committed and continue to commit violence against children in Ukraine.

In conclusion, Olena Zelenska wished the audience, including children from different countries, that there would be no war in their lives.

“But to this end, you need to know about such a threat. The right to know is also an inalienable right of adults and children,” the First Lady concluded.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 6 April 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a regular online meeting of a group of Ukrainian and international experts established under the auspices of the Office of the President to analyze the real impact of sanctions against Russia, provide proposals for strengthening existing and implementing new effective measures.

Andriy Yermak expressed confidence that the recommendations and advice of these experts will help build a system of sanctions in the near future that could help stop the heinous war waged by Russia against Ukraine.

“The war continues. Everyone saw the horrors that took place in the city of Bucha. And that means sanctions are not enough to stop Russia. Therefore, all of us and our partners need to work to ensure that sanctions are sufficiently destructive,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

Former US Ambassador to Russia and former US National Security Adviser Michael McFaul, co-ordinator of the international expert group, suggested focusing on sanctions on oil and natural gas, which is known to be the lion’s share of Russia’s exports.

“We must focus our efforts on sanctions against Russia’s oil and gas exports. The money of European consumers should not go to the state budget of Russia in order to further finance Putin’s terrible machine of destruction in Ukraine,” said Michael McFaul.

Rostyslav Shurma, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, added that work should also be done to recognize the Russian Federation as a sponsor of terrorism and to include it into the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to restrict trade with Russia.

He also noted that it is necessary to disconnect from SWIFT the entire banking system, including Sberbank and Gazprombank, ban land transport, including rail, prohibit ships from entering Russian-controlled territory, Russian ports, and ban transport that belongs to the Russians or carries out the transportation of goods of Russian owners from entering international ports.

Andriy Yermak also added that it is necessary to impose an embargo on the supply to Russia of any technology, equipment, minerals and ores, rare earth dual-use minerals and thus stop the production of weapons in Russia.

In addition, it is necessary to expand the list of sanctions against politically significant persons of the Russian Federation and members of their families.

According to Andriy Yermak, secondary sanctions are very important, i.e. inclusion in the sanctions list of legal entities and individuals of other countries that help the persons of the Russian Federation subject to sanctions to avoid restrictions.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 6 April 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with members of the Cabinet of Ministers and representatives of the Office of the Head of State on the implementation of the state budget for the current year and the introduction of an embargo on trade with Russia.

According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, in the first quarter the state budget was implemented by 110%. This was facilitated due to the results of the first two months of this year and advance tax revenues.

In the second quarter, according to the Prime Minister, a significant shortfall in Ukraine’s state budget is expected as a result of Russia’s military invasion.

The participants of the meeting discussed possible sources of filling the state treasury. In particular, it is donor assistance, special drawing rights from the IMF, etc.

In case of unfavorable developments, the possibility of temporary reduction of certain social expenditures starting from May is being considered. According to the participants of the meeting, in order to prevent the implementation of such a scenario, it is necessary to start the functioning of the domestic economy as soon as possible – both heavy industry and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The President instructed the government to formalize the cessation of Ukraine’s trade with Russia. In fact, import and export operations with the aggressor state were completely terminated with the start of the war.

 

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 April 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Golden Star Orders to the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the members of the families of the servicemen who were posthumously awarded this title.

The ceremony took place at the Mariyinsky Palace in Kyiv.

“We are in the place where the leadership of our state met with the leaders of other states before the war. This place is called the White Hall of the Mariyinsky Palace. I also had meetings with many leaders of states whom this war showed as friends and partners or vice versa. And from today I have the great honor to award the best here. You are the leaders for our state,” said the President of Ukraine, addressing the Heroes and members of their families.

He added that from now on this hall will be called the White Hall of Heroes of Ukraine and those who have been awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine will be awarded here.

“I am honored to see you here today. Unfortunately, I cannot see all those Heroes perished in the war, in the struggle for our independence against the Russian Federation,” the Head of State said.

“I want to thank everyone. I want to thank those who are not here with us today. Who are on the frontline, defending our country from the Russian occupier everyday,” the President added.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 April 2022.

Even if Ukraine signs the most powerful security agreement, Russia may return. Therefore, it is necessary to build a state that will be able to defend itself. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview to the Ukrainian media.

The Head of State noted that all the points on security guarantees voiced after the talks in Istanbul remain unchanged.

According to him, during the negotiation process, the Ukrainian side, along with the so-called denazification, rejected Russia’s demand for demilitarization.

“We explained that the army must be in line with the army we have, which is able to defend our state. Then there are the details,” the President said.

“Even if we sign the most powerful agreement, we understand that in two years Russia may return. And if you and I accept this, then we act accordingly,” the President said.

In view of this, Ukraine will build a state that will be able to defend itself, as the Ukrainian side openly states at the talks.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his conviction that Ukraine cannot fight constantly while other countries develop. That is why our state needs concrete security guarantees.

According to the President, everything depends on the guarantor countries, which must ensure the implementation of certain points.

“All this is being discussed at the level of advisers and leaders with France, the United States, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Poland, Italy, Israel, and there are many friends who want to join. So far, we have not received a specific list of guarantees and a list of countries that are ready to join us 100%,” the President said.

“We do not need to have 40 countries of the world that are ready to join and fight for Ukraine under the agreement. We need serious players who are ready for anything. We need a circle of states that are ready to provide any weapons within 24 hours. We need individual countries on which sanctions policy really depends, so that these sanctions are deeply elaborated in advance. So that in the first second when we feel the threat from the Russian Federation, these states will unite and within three days introduce everything at once, block everything,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained.

According to him, representatives of some countries have already expressed a desire to become guarantors of security, but no joint meeting has taken place yet.

“They said they were ready to meet and talk about it. But I would like to emphasize once again that this meeting has not yet taken place in Ukraine. We are waiting for it. If this happens, there will be an understanding that we have certain security guarantees that provide for non-alignment,” the President said.

“So far, all of these guarantors are positive about Ukraine. But this is not enough. We already had such agreements and “papers”,” he added.

As for joining NATO, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine is ready to join the Alliance “already tomorrow”, even if Russia opposes it.

“If we are offered to join NATO tomorrow, if they don’t play with our lives again, but seriously offer, we will join. But this will not happen, unfortunately, and did not happen. That is why we will build those security guarantees that can protect us, protect people’s lives. We can protect ourselves anyway – we already understand that. But protecting all people is a more difficult task,” he said.

The President said that he would consider the preservation of Ukraine’s sovereignty to be the first victory in this war.

“Second, I really want us not to lose hundreds of thousands of people. Third, there can be no discussion that we will allow someone to call Crimea someone’s territory. This is our territory, Ukrainian territory. Postponing this issue is a compromise. And Donbas for me is Ukraine. And the fact that Russia has recognized ORDLO as something – we must find a way out of this situation. We, as Ukraine. Preserving the status of these territories as Ukrainian is very important for us,” the Head of State said.

In his opinion, the withdrawal of Russian troops to the positions of February 23, 2022 will be a victory.

“I understand where we are, who we are, what kind of country we are, what we have lost, what we can lose and what we have saved. I believe that repelling the full-scale war to the point where it began on February 24, 2022 is definitely a victory for us,” said the President.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that after the end of this war, the issue of security should be number one in Ukraine.

“I think all our people will be our great army. We cannot talk about “Switzerland of the future” – probably, our state will be able to be like this a long time after. But we will definitely become a “big Israel” with its own face. We will not be surprised that we will have representatives of the Armed Forces or the National Guard in all institutions, supermarkets, cinemas, there will be people with weapons. I am sure that our security issue will be number one in the next ten years,” the President said.