Tag: 2022

PRESS RELEASE : Women’s economic inclusion is valuable for maintaining peace – UK statement to the OSCE [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 November 2022.

Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown highlights the importance of women’s economic empowerment at OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting.

Thank you, Mister Chair,

It cannot be overstated how vital women’s economic participation is to countries’ economic development, and how valuable women’s economic inclusion is for maintaining peace in post-conflict settings. Today’s meeting is a clear signal of the importance of the topic.

Women and girls are at the heart of the UK’s approach to economic development. We integrate gender provisions into our Free Trade Agreements; partner with G7 Finance Institutions to mobilise investments for women in developing markets; and our Work and Opportunities for Women programme has helped over a hundred thousand women access better jobs and improved working conditions in global value chains.

Over the years OSCE participating States have collectively committed to several important decisions on women’s economic participation; notably in 2011 when we expressed our concern about women’s continued inequality in labour markets; and in 2017 when we recognised the significant contribution of women’s economic empowerment to economic development and cohesive societies.

But these commitments cannot be fulfilled when those we seek to empower are forced to flee bullets and bombs.

Mister Chair, it is currently, the women of Ukraine who are facing some of the greatest threats to their economic empowerment in the OSCE region.

Since Russia launched their war of aggression on 24 February, over 7 million refugees have fled Ukraine, over 90% of whom are reportedly women and children; a further 6 million are internally displaced, including women and children in need of medical care.

Russia’s war has done significant damage to the Ukrainian economy, with inflation forecast to exceed 30% by the end of this year and a public sector funding gap of 38 billion dollars. As we saw during the COVID pandemic, economic shocks hit the most vulnerable hardest, particularly those in more precarious employment; those who cannot work remotely; or those with childcare responsibilities. Women are disproportionately represented in these groups.

To help, the UK has so far provided around 400 million pounds in economic and humanitarian grants to ensure the continued running of vital humanitarian services for Ukrainians. Furthermore the UK’s Good Governance Fund is supporting Ukrainian SMEs to relocate and resume operations in Poland, helping them navigate the legal requirements of operating there. All our programmes mainstream gender equality; and we have also been supporting refugees to access financial services outside Ukraine.

Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will be a symbol of the power of freedom and democracy over autocracy. But the extent of Russian destruction means Ukraine needs international support to rebuild. At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano in July, the UK reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Among other assistance, the UK has provided guarantees unlocking £1.35 billion of World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) lending to Ukraine. We look forward to hosting the second Ukraine Recovery Conference next year and a continued focus on women’s economic empowerment at the OSCE.

November 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Over seven million £324 payments made to families by government in last week alone [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 15 November 2022.

This means £2.3 billion has been paid out to over 99% of those eligible via DWP across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since the beginning of the rollout last Tuesday.

A further one million families eligible solely through tax credits will receive their payment between 23 and 30 November.

Eligible claimants who have not yet received their payment should not be concerned, as the DWP expects some payments may take until 23 November to come through. After this date, a GOV.UK page for reporting missing Cost of Living Payments will become available and the DWP will begin processing claims to ensure outstanding payments reach those eligible as quickly as possible.

There are also a small number of cases where an automated payment has not been possible, for example Universal Credit cases where benefit payments are split between a couple, or where the emergency payment system (EPS) cannot recognise their claim details. A dedicated team of agents are currently working through these cases to pay them manually.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride said:

This Government promised to protect those on the lowest incomes, and it is great to be able to confirm today that we have delivered on this commitment with our latest Cost of Living Payment reaching over seven million households in the last week alone.

This payment is just part of a wider support package the Government has provided, with millions of families benefiting from a Council Tax rebate and pensioners across the country receiving winter fuel support as the weather gets colder and disabled people getting help with additional costs they face. We will continue to support the most vulnerable as we deal with the impact of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt said:

We know families are struggling with the rising prices caused by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. That is why we’ve delivered over 7 million cash payments directly into the bank accounts of the most vulnerable households in just one week and will make over a million more to those on tax credits later this month.

This is part of the £1,200 cash support we’re giving to the poorest members of society during this difficult period.

At the upcoming Autumn Statement we will continue to prioritise helping the most vulnerable, as we make the tough decisions needed to drive down inflation and fix our public finances.

To be eligible for the £324 Cost of Living Payment, claimants must have been entitled to one of the qualifying benefits between 26 August and 25 September, with the exception of pensioner households, who may be able to have a new Pension Credit claim backdated.

Pensioners have until 18 December to submit a valid claim for Pension Credit, which could entitle them to the £324 Cost of Living Payment. Anyone can check their eligibility for Pension Credit using the online calculator or by calling the freephone claim line (0800 99 1234).

Even if you are not on a qualifying DWP benefit you may still be eligible for the £324 payment, as HMRC is also making payments to over one million families who only receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. These will be automatically paid into bank accounts between 23 and 30 November.

Those eligible do not need to contact the government or apply for the payment at any stage. Payments will appear on bank statements with a reference including the recipients National Insurance number followed by:
- ‘DWP COL’ for those on DWP means-tested benefits
- ‘HMRC COLS’ for those on tax credits only
This is the second instalment of the £650 Cost of Living Payment – part of the Government’s £37 billion support package for households – with millions also benefiting from the £400 grant to help with energy bills and 85% of households in bands A to D receiving the £150 Council Tax rebate.

On top of this, nearly one in 10 people have received the Government’s additional £150 disability payment this Autumn, and an estimated eight million pensioner households will receive an extra £300 in their Winter Fuel Payments this winter.
November 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Sheffield deli boss Philip John Mottram sentenced for running business while banned [November 2022]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 15 November 2022.

Philip John Mottram, 55, from Sheffield, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on 10 November 2022 where he was sentenced before District Judge Redhouse to a 12-month Community Order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work in the community and up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He also had to pay costs of £2,000 and Victim Surcharge of £60.

The court heard that Mottram was the sole director of Urbandeli Ltd, which traded as a café called Urban Deli on Campo Lane in Sheffield, until the business went into liquidation in March 2017.

But liquidators discovered that Mottram had been banned as a director for a year in April 2016, after a case had been brought against him by Companies House for failing to provide a copy of the company accounts.

Disqualified directors are banned from forming, managing or promoting companies for the duration of their ban. People who breach the terms of the disqualification are committing a criminal offence and could be fined and/or go to prison for up to 2 years.

Mottram also ignored requests by Urbandeli’s liquidators to hand over company books and records – a legal requirement during a company’s liquidation.

The liquidators shared their findings with the Insolvency Service, which triggered an investigation. But Mottram failed to answer investigators’ questions about his role in the company while he was banned as a director.

Following the investigation Mottram was charged with four separate offences, but twice failed to turn up to court hearings, which led to his arrest.

He previously pleaded guilty at Sheffield Magistrates Court to failing to hand over company books to liquidators, and to being in charge of a company during his one-year ban as a director.

Julie Barnes, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

Philip Mottram had scant regard for his disqualification as a company director, didn’t cooperate with investigators and showed little respect for the courts.

This type of criminality has a huge impact on the confidence of the UK Business community. Mottram’s sentencing will be a warning to others that the Insolvency Service is committed to bringing lawbreakers to justice.

November 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian and global human rights organizations should receive operational information about human rights violations by the Russian aggressor – Andriy Yermak [November 2022]

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

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference meeting with representatives of Ukrainian and international human rights organizations devoted to the issue of ensuring the rights of Ukrainian military and civilian prisoners held by the Russian Federation.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that Russia’s forced detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in inhumane conditions is the most acute human rights issue in Europe since World War II.

“In the XXI century, we lived to the point where there are concentration camps in the center of Europe. I mean not only Olenivka, but also other terrible places,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

He noted that the International Committee of the Red Cross did not agree to delegate its representatives to the mission, which was supposed to go to the delimitation line and demand from Russia access to places of detention of Ukrainian prisoners.

At the suggestion of Andriy Yermak, the meeting participants decided to create an information human rights headquarters, which will regularly publish data on human rights violations during Russian aggression that are important for the global human rights community and the media.

The Head of the Office of the President called on Ukrainian and international human rights organizations to join the work of the headquarters.

It will work continuously and will become a platform for information support of Ukrainian prisoners held by the Russian aggressor.

“We have to put pressure on the Russian Federation from all sides, keep this issue in focus at all international platforms and do everything that depends on us to get information and work on the emergence of an international mission,” emphasized Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the Office of the President also proposed to create an interactive exhibition dedicated to the issue of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. According to Andriy Yermak, Ukrainians released from captivity and relatives of prisoners will be able to participate in the exhibition.

“When people see what is happening today, in the XXI century, in the center of Europe, it is better than any political tools,” he said.

Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets expressed his belief that the International Committee of the Red Cross has demonstrated its inefficiency and even unwillingness to monitor Russia’s compliance with the norms of humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.

“As human rights defenders, we must look for new platforms, new mechanisms to cope with this challenge. Therefore, I invite everyone to join this initiative and involve colleagues from all over the world,” said Dmytro Lubinets.

The commissioner also reported that the international community of ombudsmen supports the creation of new missions and platforms where the issues of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, as well as deported children, whom Russia continues to take from the temporarily occupied territories, will be raised.

As noted by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova, joining the efforts of state and non-governmental human rights organizations will make it possible to develop new approaches to protecting the rights of Ukrainian prisoners.

“Only when we join forces can we have a result,” she said.

Head of the board of the Crimean human rights group Olga Skrypnyk also called for attention to the protection of the rights of Ukrainian activists and Crimean Tatars who are subjected to constant repression by the Russian occupiers in Crimea. She supported the initiative to constantly inform the international community about the issues of Ukrainian prisoners held by the aggressor.

November 15, 2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Speech at 27th UN Conference on Climate Change in Sharm el-Sheikh

The speech made by Volodymdr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 8 November 2022.

Dear colleagues!

Dear Mr. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

At this Conference, like at other summits and high level meetings on catastrophic climate change, there is no lack of words. There is no lack of good definitions and no shortage of prescriptions for what the world should do. I listened to some of the speeches today – and I agree with many of the assessments.

The world is on the brink. And beyond this limit – devastating changes that will forever change the usual life on all continents. Colleagues have described well what this means. No one can stay aside.

And the poorer the person, the poorer the family, the poorer the country – the more painful the effects of climate change will be for them. However, this also applies to all rich nations – it is impossible to buy off the destruction of the climate.

But why do we keep talking about it every year? Why instead of reports on what has been done, the same forecasts and appeals are made every year?

I will be honest – there are still many who do not take the climate agenda seriously. And not only in politics, but also in big business.

There are still many for whom climate change is just rhetoric or marketing or political ritual – whatever, but not real action.

They are the ones who hamper the implementation of climate goals. They are the ones in their offices who make fun of those who fight to save life on the planet, although in public they seem to support the work for the sake of nature in every possible way. They are the ones who start wars of aggression when the planet cannot afford a single gunshot, because it needs global joint actions.

You all know about the war that Russia started in Europe, trying to destroy the independence of my country. But what does this war mean?

This Russian war has brought about an energy crisis that has forced dozens of countries to resume coal-fired power generation in order to lower energy prices for their people at least a little… To lower prices that are shockingly rising due to deliberate Russian actions.

The Russian war brought an acute food crisis to the world, which hit worst those countries suffering from the existing manifestations of climate change – catastrophic droughts, large-scale floods.

The Russian war destroyed 5 million acres of forests in Ukraine in less than six months! Not every country in the world has such an area of forests that were burned in Ukraine by Russian shelling.

We have to check every day the situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. If there is no radiation leaks? The Russian army has turned this nuclear power plant de-facto into a military training ground. They are constantly “playing” with connecting and disconnecting the plant and nuclear reactors from the power grid. This is a direct risk of a radiation disaster.

Who will care, for example, about the amount of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere if part of Europe or the Middle East, and possibly northern Africa, God forbid, are covered by a radiation cloud after an accident in Zaporizhzhia? Last year we could not even imagine that kind of question, but this year Russia has posed dozens of such questions to the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

World needs honesty.We must tell those who do not take the climate agenda seriously that they are making a catastrophic mistake.

We must stop those who, with their insane and illegal war, are destroying the world’s ability to work united for a common goal.

There can be no effective climate policy without peace on the Earth. Because, in fact, nations are thinking only about how to protect themselves here and now from the threats created in particular by the Russian aggression.

Russia needs to shut the guns and hide its missiles so the world finally hears what we can all really do together to save ourselves from the climate disaster. All of us – in Europe, Africa, Asia, America, Australia.

I invite you all to support our initiative presented here at the Conference – creation of a global platform to assess the Impact of military actions on climate and environment.

We are all thinking about how to generate hundreds of billions of dollars to help developing countries protect themselves from the climate change. Under these conditions, how can anyone cause additional insane damage to the nature with their invasive military ambitions? Such ambitions deserve only punishment.

Mr. President of Egypt said an important thing in his speech: we must meet expectations of the people all over the world – people who are suffering more than ever. I absolutely support this goal.

We must ensure that suffering does not multiply because the world does not have time to respond to climate challenges. But to do this, we need joint effective actions. And for them to be, we need peace.

And I thank everyone who works for peace! I thank everyone who takes seriously the need to protect life on the Earth for the benefit of all people – all nations, all classes, all cultures.

I thank you for your attention.

Слава Україні!

November 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : A deal with the current President of the Russian Federation is a ticket to a world where international law is no longer valid – Mykhailo Podolyak in an interview with La Repubblica [November 2022]

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

Dialogue with the Russian Federation will become possible when the Russian army leaves Ukrainian territory, otherwise the ceasefire agreement will become only a tactical pause to strengthen Russian positions and lead to the loss of Ukrainian territories. Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated this in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

He noted that every military success and every meter of liberated land strengthens Ukraine. At the same time, he believes that dialogue with Russia will become possible when the Russian army leaves Ukrainian territory.

Mykhailo Podolyak emphasized that there is no consensus among the leaders of Western countries on the issue of removing the President of the Russian Federation from office, but any agreement with the current Russian leader will lead to the loss of the territories of Ukraine and the strengthening of other autocracies.

“A deal with Putin is a one-way ticket to a world where international law is no longer valid, where law is determined by force, and force is nuclear weapons. And why pay such a price if Putin does not give up the goal of destroying us? The ceasefire for Russia is a tactical pause for reinforcement. Is it worth making such a gift to Moscow?” said the Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President.

Answering a question about whether Ukraine would continue to fight if Western countries refused us new military aid, Mykhailo Podolyak said: “Ask the Ukrainians. Those whose homes were hit by Russian missiles. Those whose loved ones were killed or raped. Those who spend the night in cold, wet trenches. Ask those who will stay here for the winter, knowing that Russia will try to deprive us of light, water and communication. Ask, looking these people in the eyes.”

“We have no choice. Russia invaded us with mobile crematoria and half a million body bags. If we cease to defend ourselves, we cease to exist. Literally. Physically. We will continue to fight, even if they stab us in the back,” added the Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President.

At the same time, he urged not to speculate on the topic of negotiations among representatives of the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

“The armed forces of both countries can communicate with each other even to receive warnings about the consequences of using weapons of mass destruction. But there are no negotiations between Russia and Western countries regarding Ukraine. Our partners adhere to the principle “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”. No party will be able to ensure the implementation of agreements without the endorsement of the Ukrainian people,” Mykhailo Podolyak summarized.

November 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : President met with a member of the US President’s Cabinet, United States Ambassador to the United Nations [November 2022]

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with member of the US President’s Cabinet, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who arrived on a visit to our country.

The Head of State thanked the entire American people, US President Joseph Biden and his administration, the US Congress for the strong bipartisan and bicameral support of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war waged against our country by the Russian Federation.

“It is important that this support is fully manifested in the UN as well,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized, highly appreciating Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s personal role.

The United States delegation was briefed on the situation at the front and the escalation of Russian air terror against critical civilian infrastructure of Ukraine using cruise missiles and Iranian drones. It was emphasized separately that targeted Russian attacks damaged almost 40% of energy infrastructure facilities, as a result of which more than 4.5 million consumers remain without electricity in Ukraine.

“Given the continuation of Russia’s missile terror, our first priority is the urgent creation of an air shield over Ukraine,” the Head of State emphasized.

The President noted that the Russian Federation supplements the missile terror with cynical accusations against Ukraine of creating a “dirty bomb”, which have already been officially denied by the IAEA, and the continuation of open nuclear blackmail at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

In this regard, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for the United Nations to take a number of immediate steps, including the immediate dispatch of a mission of UN experts initiated by our state to Ukraine to investigate Iran’s supply of UAVs to Russia in violation of UN Security Council sanctions; sending competent representatives of the UN to the objects of critical infrastructure of Ukraine to assess the destruction and the need for restoration; maximum involvement of the capabilities of the United Nations in the restoration of the Ukrainian energy industry.

“It is also necessary to limit the membership and privileges of the terrorist state in the IAEA. There is a clear and understandable algorithm for this,” said the President of Ukraine.

During the meeting, the parties focused on supporting Ukraine’s initiatives at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. First of all, regarding the creation of a compensation mechanism for the consequences of Russian aggression, the initiation of a special tribunal regarding the crime of Russian aggression against our country, as well as the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, with an emphasis on Crimea and Sevastopol.

Special attention was paid to the pressing issue of Russia’s forced detention of Ukrainian military and civilian prisoners. The President reminded that more than a thousand prisoners have already been released, but a large number of Ukrainians are still living in terrible conditions on the territory of Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. In this regard, the Head of State emphasized the importance of international pressure in order to resolve the issue of access of UN representatives and the International Committee of the Red Cross to these persons as soon as possible.

A separate topic of the meeting was global food security. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the role of the UN and the Secretary-General personally in the implementation of the “grain initiative”, which provides food to millions of people in Africa, Asia and Europe. The interlocutors emphasized the need to extend the grain agreement after November 19.

“The last few days show that it is possible. Yes, Russia slows down this process in every possible way in order to blackmail the world. But I think that we will cope with this problem together,” he is convinced.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that despite the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, Ukraine is ready to remain the guarantor of world food security.

“Ukraine saves the world” – under this slogan we will provide assistance to the poorest. The first ship in the framework of the initiative is to depart shortly. We offer the countries of the world to join this important initiative,” the President of Ukraine noted.

There was also an exchange of views on specific steps to limit the aggressor state’s ability to abuse UN membership.

November 15, 2022
Sadiq Khan – 2021 Statement on the Removal of the Heathrow Free Travel Zone

The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 17 March 2021.

I was disappointed by the decision by Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) to suspend the bulk of its support for public transport services, including the Heathrow Bus Free Travel Zone. As soon as Transport for London (TfL) and I became aware of HAL’s plan, our concerns were relayed, both verbally and in writing. On 3 December 2020, TfL’s Director of City Planning wrote to the HAL Surface Access Director citing concerns that these changes may encourage more staff to switch to making journeys to and from work by car.

November 15, 2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy – 2022 Speech at the 34th Award Ceremony of the National Constitution Center

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 8 November 2022.

Dear Friends!

It is a great honor to be awarded with the Medal of Liberty, presented to me by senators Chris Coons and Rob Portman during their visit to Kyiv.

This award really demonstrates how and what Ukrainian people are fighting for. Liberty is the main word for us and what really unites all Ukrainians.

As in any democratic society, Ukrainians have different views on life and politics. As the case was in previous years, we felt divided arguing whether we would ever be able to stand together.

But when Russia decided to destroy our freedom and wipe Ukraine off the face of the earth, we immediately got united and we keep this unity.

All divisions are put aside. There is no place for political conflicts. Because when there is a mortal threat to freedom, everything else is not important.

Millions of people are fighting and working to protect Ukraine. They are very different people. After the Russian full-scale invasion started, they all decided – “we are here” and we will never give up our freedom.

And I believe that this Liberty Medal is for all men and women of Ukraine who, after the 24th of February, showed to the world’s largest autocracy that only defeat is what it can win in Ukraine.

These are our soldiers and officers. This is a massive wave of our volunteers – those who provide our defenders with everything they need. These are farmers who stopped Russian armored vehicles on the roads to their communities and helped the Army. These are IT specialists, who build defense against Russian cyberattacks. These are companies that work despite constant Russian terror and keep jobs for Ukrainians. These are doctors who help always everywhere. These are school teachers and university professors who can read lectures even in bomb shelters and distantly from the trenches on the front lines, but they do not give up and teach children – teach them to believe in themselves, in freedom and in Ukraine.

In less than nine months, more than thirty thousand Ukrainians have been honored state awards for their contribution to our national defense.

First of all, they are our heroic soldiers. These are rescuers who do away with the effects of Russian shelling. These are energy workers who return electricity to people after Russian missiles and Iranian drones hit power plants – Russia wants to leave millions of our people without energy in the winter. These are transport workers who supply our defense, economy and communities. These are different people of various jobs who are all equally fight against the invasion.

However, this Liberty Medal is an award not only for our people.

When this war began, Ukraine heard something very important from the world – we heard that “the democracies are here.” And we see now what democracies are capable of when they act in unity.

Every potential aggressor in the world sees the help that the United States and the free world is providing to us, and all the sanctions imposed against Russia – sees and believes that it is better not to start a war against freedom at all. In fact, this is one of the greatest contributions to the global peace and security during our lifetime.

Together with our partners, we are developing a new security architecture – these are security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe which will not only re-empower the principles of the UN Charter, but will also become a model for nations in other parts of the world – a model to avoid new cruel wars.

And that is why, I believe that this Liberty Medal is also to all friends of freedom in the United States and other countries. To all those, who are helping us to restore our territorial integrity, and thus to restore peace.

This Liberty Medal is to those who support us with weapons, air defense systems, finance and diplomacy. To those who are helping to rebuild after the Russian strikes. To those who impose sanctions against Russia and its accomplices such as the Iranian regime.

When after the beginning of the Russian invasion, I said – “the president is here”, when millions of Ukrainians decided at the same time – “we are here” and we will not surrender, and when the world supported us, saying – “democracies are here”, then it meant and still mean – “freedom is here “, “human dignity is here”, “law is here”. And one day it will definitely mean – “peace is here”.

I call on you to maintain unwavering unity, as it is now, until that very day when we all hear those important words we have been dreaming of… Until we hear that peace has finally been restored. Democracies must not stop on their way to the victory.

I thank you for your attention!

Thank you for your support – President Biden, both parties of the Congress, and every American citizen! Please know that you support not just a country or its leader, you support millions of people who, like you, cherish freedom.

And I decided to send the prize money of our Liberty Medal to help Ukrainian veterans – to rebuild and modernize the rehabilitation center for veterans in the city of Borodyanka, Kyiv region of Ukraine. Let everything bring our victory closer!

Слава Україні!

November 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : It is Ukraine that helps fight the food crisis created as a result of Russian aggression – Andriy Yermak [November 2022]

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

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held the first meeting of the working group formed by the decree of the Head of State on November 3, 2022, to prepare proposals for providing assistance to states suffering from an acute food crisis.

“Today, it is Ukraine that is the main force that helps fight the food crisis created as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This shows that even in such terrible conditions, our country continues to be responsible, continues to think not only about itself, but also about the people who are suffering in the world today as a result of this war,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.

According to him, at today’s meeting of the working group, the first developments regarding the humanitarian supply of Ukrainian grain to the countries that need it the most are outlined.

The Head of the President’s Office reminded that in November it will be 90 years since the Holodomor tragedy of 1932-1933 – the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, the Ukrainian nation has personally experienced what hunger is like, and understands the importance of implementing this initiative.

“It is symbolic that these days we are reminding the world of this tragedy, and we do not want something similar to happen again with other nations,” Andriy Yermak said.

According to him, Ukraine seeks to involve international partners in the implementation of this initiative, relevant consultations have already begun.

As Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov noted, with the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the world realized the important role played by Ukrainian grain in stabilizing the world food market. In particular, obstacles created by Russia in the export of Ukrainian grain cause fluctuations in the price of grain on the world market.

He stated: many countries, even with a working grain corridor, cannot afford to buy grain for their needs, therefore the humanitarian initiative of the President of Ukraine is necessary.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Andriy Sybiha noted: Russia has undermined global food security, but despite its full-scale aggression, Ukraine is still ready to be and acts as a guarantor of food security in the world.

Summarizing, the Head of the President’s Office emphasized that Ukraine is ready to help even at a time when it itself continues to fight the enemy and defend its independence and territorial integrity. “Today, the world must understand that Ukraine continues to fight, but also saves the world,” Andriy Yermak said.

November 15, 2022