PRESS RELEASE : NSDC chaired by Volodymyr Zelenskyy decided to declare a state of emergency

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 23 February 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, during which a decision was made to impose a state of emergency on the entire territory of Ukraine, except the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where Joint Forces Operation is underway.

According to Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov, the Verkhovna Rada must approve the relevant presidential decree on the state of emergency after the President signs it.

According to Oleksiy Danilov, regional commissions, which will include representatives of state and local authorities, will work and, depending on the situation, will decide on the necessary security measures under the state of emergency.

“What could it be? Strengthening the protection of public order and facilities that ensure the livelihood of the population and the economy. It can be a restriction and a certain movement of transport, it can be an additional inspection of transport, verification of certain documents of individuals. In other words, these are preventive issues so that the country remains calm and the economy works,” said the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, adding that the main task of the Russian Federation is to achieve the goal through internal destabilization.

Oleksiy Danilov added that the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council remains open, all heads of state authorities are at their workplaces and are ready to meet again at any moment if necessary.