Tag: 2022

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 24 April 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak expects an increase in the defensive support for our country from international partners, as well as increased sanctions pressure on Russia, which will allow to end the aggressive war and sit down at the negotiating table. He told it on French TV channel TF1.

“Currently, Mariupol remains the most tragic and tense point on the map of Ukraine. That’s where the fierce fighting is taking place. As for the information that the Russians have gained control of the city… No, that’s not true. Yes, they are in the city, but the area where the Ukrainian heroes stand remains under the control of our soldiers. They are there together with civilians, there are even children there,” Andriy Yermak said.

He stressed that the Ukrainian authorities continue to fight and do everything to save the lives of these people.

According to him, the military-political leadership of the country is in constant contact with the fighters who remain in Mariupol, and receives firsthand information about the situation in the city.

“The struggle for Mariupol does not end. This is a Ukrainian city. And it will always be like that,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

Andriy Yermak confirmed that Ukraine will now need heavy weapons to counter Russia more effectively.

“This is something that will allow us to protect our sky during the constant bombing. These are tanks. These are remedies against ship attacks. MLRS and more. But I would like to emphasize once again that our partners have an exhaustive list. We look forward to even greater support. With this support and a strong sanctions policy, we will surely win,” he said.

Andriy Yermak reminded that a group of international and Ukrainian experts has been set up pursuant to the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy who are analyzing the effectiveness of the current sanctions and developing proposals for new restrictive measures. An action plan to strengthen sanctions on the Russian Federation developed by the Yermak-McFaul international group of experts has already been presented.

“It contains clear, definite sanctions that we will propose to our partners – the EU and its member states, as well as the United States, Great Britain and other countries – to apply against Russia. The fact that the war in Ukraine continues, our people, our children are being killed, makes it clear that the current sanctions policy is insufficient. It needs to be strengthened. It needs to be updated, new sanctions need to be developed constantly. And I would like to emphasize that the EU’s support for a full embargo on energy, Russian gas and oil, is very important to us. Also the application of sanctions against all Russian banks. It is important to elaborate sanctions recognizing Russia as a country that sponsors terrorism. Also, in my opinion, the issue of including Russia in the FATF blacklist should be considered, following the example of other countries to which such measures have already been applied. And much more,” Andriy Yermak said.

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine also noted that in a situation where a full-scale war is being waged against our state virtually throughout the territory, it is difficult to negotiate with an aggressor who ignores not only international law, but also the laws of war.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 24 April 2022.

Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens not only demonstrated great internal unity, but also managed to unite European countries and the whole world around them. This was emphasized by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference for international and Ukrainian media in Kyiv.

The Head of State noted the incredible unity within the country after the beginning of the war. “And it must stay with us until the end of the war, after the war… I think this is a great victory and our great weapon,” he said.

The President is convinced that Ukraine has done everything possible to unite the countries of the European Union politically like never before.

“We addressed the parliaments. And sometimes, may some European countries excuse me, behaved impudently. But understand: because we are at war and our people are dying, we can’t do otherwise – there is not enough time,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

According to the Head of State, thanks to Ukraine, European countries have begun to understand the true meaning of NATO’s existence, as some European high-ranking officials have said in private conversations.

“Is the Alliance able to unite quickly and resist aggression?” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He stressed that Ukraine is fighting for its existence and for peace, but it needs powerful weapons for this.

“Ukraine has done a lot to unite the world. And now that this union exists, weapons are needed. And this is the last union we need. Here, all countries need to become courageous people and courageous leaders together. And not only for us, not only for our victory, but also for themselves,” the President of Ukraine summed up.

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

Ukraine would like Pope Francis to join the rescue of people in the east of our country, in particular to help unblock the humanitarian corridor in Mariupol, because His Holiness is trusted by many people and his mission is from God. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference for international and Ukrainian media in Kyiv.

“I really wanted him to come from the very beginning, to support our people in the east of the country. I wanted him to try to unblock the humanitarian corridors to Mariupol,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to him, the Ukrainian side addressed the Holy See with such a request.

“It is too early to tell, but we are waiting for him. We are waiting because he has a mission – a mission from God. He is trusted by a large number of people, I think this is important,” said the President.

The Head of State stressed that Ukraine is grateful to the Holy See and personally to Pope Francis for his support – during speeches and prayers at various events, he supports Ukraine and condemns Russian aggression.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also recalled his personal meeting with His Holiness during an audience in the Holy See when they discussed the story of the Ukrainian military Vitaliy Markiv.

“And he helped as much as he could. And we returned our military. Because we have to fight for every person. At least these are my rules of life,” the President of Ukraine summed up.

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

Everyone who gave criminal orders to kill civilians during the Russian military invasion of Ukraine will face the court and get a fair punishment, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced.

“I believe that everyone will definitely face the tribunal, the court. Everyone who gave these shameful orders to kill people, children – everyone. That’s for sure, I’m sure of it, I believe in it,” the President said during a press conference for international and Ukrainian media.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criminal cases in international courts usually take a long time, several years, but Ukraine will wait for a fair verdict.

“We will wait. And if people like me don’t see it, our children will. Believe me. I am sure that there will be the last nail in the policy of this state,” the President said.

He stressed that Ukrainians are interested not in the name of the tribunal that will convict the criminals, but in the outcome of this process.

“Whether it is The Hague, Ukraine, other processes… It’s not about the name, it’s about the number of years and the number of people. It’s about how many people will be sentenced for a large number of years of imprisonment,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President emphasized that the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine is working with the investigative bodies of partner countries to organize such a trial.

“We believe there will be an international tribunal. We believe there will be a result of it,” the President summed up.

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

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the Georgian people are fraternal for Ukrainians, but the return of the Ukrainian ambassador to Georgia is possible after the Georgian authorities support Ukraine. The Head of State said this during a press conference for international and Ukrainian media in Kyiv.

“I will say frankly: we are truly fraternal nations, but I do not understand the position of the leaders of your state. That’s why I perceive it bitterly… I don’t understand why sanctions are not imposed. I have heard the message “we must protect our economy”. What economy? They (Russians – ed.) have already taken part of the territory of Georgia, almost reached Tbilisi,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

At the same time, according to him, the Georgian people are one of the nations that are really close to Ukrainians. The President noted that Georgia is a neighbor of Ukraine, and the Georgian people have supported Ukrainians starting from the first revolution and ending with the current war by providing volunteer and humanitarian assistance. In addition, Georgians are fighting on the side of Ukraine and expressed their support on the streets of Tbilisi.

“We have a war with Russia, and we definitely do not want conflicts with Georgia. I am sure we will never have conflicts… We will definitely return the ambassador to friendly Georgia as soon as we feel the support of Ukraine from your government,” the President said.

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

Ukraine is ready to negotiate with the Russian Federation to end the war, as a diplomatic path will save the lives of millions of people. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference for international and Ukrainian media in Kyiv.

The Head of State stressed that from the very beginning of Russia’s aggression, he insisted on holding direct talks with Russia, as any format of dialogue through mediators is ineffective.

“I want to stop the war, to end it. There is a diplomatic path, there is a military path. So any mentally healthy person always chooses the diplomatic path, because he or she knows: even if it is difficult, it can prevent the loss of thousands, tens of thousands, and with such neighbors – hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions of lives. There may be losses of millions of people. We don’t want that, and any leader, whether he wants it personally or not, has no right to cancel the diplomatic path,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced.

The President noted that today Ukraine’s international partners, including the European Union, the United States and Canada, saw Russia’s reluctance to hold peace talks.

“Today the trust of our partners in us is at the highest level. And there is simply no trust in Russia. Today these are antonyms – “Russia” and “trust”,” the Head of State noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukrainians have shown their fearlessness in the fight against the aggressor, so he is not afraid to negotiate with Russia.

“The leader has no right to be afraid when it comes to our state and our independence,” the President said.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that if our people in Mariupol are killed, if a pseudo-referendum on pseudo-republics is announced in the temporarily occupied territories in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, Ukraine will withdraw from the negotiation process.

“I believe that this (holding a pseudo-referendum – ed.) will not benefit the diplomatic settlement of this situation. This will definitely hinder the end of the war through diplomacy. This is definitely the wrong move by Russia. This means that everything that happened before, all those meetings of diplomatic groups – it’s all fiction and political theater,” said the President.

The President also called on the citizens of Ukraine in the temporarily occupied territories of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions not to help the occupiers.

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

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak notes that the heroic resistance of the Armed Forces and Ukrainian society, as well as strong and effective international sanctions, which the “sanctions” group of experts is working on, are important for ending Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine. This is stated in his op-ed for NV.

“Russia’s blitzkrieg against Ukraine has failed. The heroic efforts of our Armed Forces and society thwarted the Kremlin’s plans. Numerous aggravations on the frontline await us. Russian troops will keep trying to advance deep into Ukraine. However, the turning point has taken place, and now it is quite obvious that this war will no longer follow the Kremlin’s plan,” Andriy Yermak stressed.

The Head of the Office of the President noted that Ukraine is receiving more and more military-technical, humanitarian and financial assistance.

“Our troops receive effective weapons, and their range is steadily growing, and by joint efforts the issue of lend-lease is moving from the abstract-theoretical to the practical plane,” he wrote.

Also, according to Andriy Yermak, thanks to the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and foreign partners, the banking system is functioning stably. Utilities operate in the territories free from the occupiers, and the food situation is under control.

The Head of the Office of the President noted that the key to successfully resisting Russian aggression is not only the resilience, valor and motivation of Ukrainians and professional command, but also the second frontline – international sanctions. Due to the long-term effect, they should make it difficult for Moscow to pursue an aggressive policy in the future. This is one of the elements of guaranteeing our security, at least until the legally binding mechanisms of the new security architecture start working.

He explained the need to force Russia to focus on overcoming its internal problems. At the same time, we must not forget about the pressure on Russian oligarchs who must also be punished for supporting and financing the aggression. That is why President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy a few weeks ago initiated the creation of a “sanctions” international group of experts, which is working to assess the effectiveness of sanctions, find ways to optimize them and increase efficiency. The group chaired by the Head of the Office of the President and the well-known American diplomat Michael McFaul has already presented an Action Plan to strengthen sanctions.

In particular, Ukraine submitted to the European Energy Community a proposal to impose a full oil and gas embargo on Russia. This item in the Plan proposed by experts is number one, because, according to the results of three quarters of last year, energy accounted for 34.5% of Russian budget revenues.

The Plan also offers to include Russia in the FATF blacklist along with Iran and the DPRK, impose comprehensive sanctions against Russian and Belarusian banking institutions, trade restrictions on their goods, and expand transport and insurance-related restrictions.

Another line of pressure is recognizing Russia and Belarus as states – sponsors of terrorism, and the Russian army and political parties as terrorist organizations.

Andriy Yermak also noted the importance of introducing a mechanism of secondary sanctions against those individuals and companies who try to make money by providing services to circumvent primary sanctions.

 

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 21 April 2022.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine together with the Office of the President, Adviser – President’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights and Children’s Rehabilitation, and the Ministry of Social Policy are launching a nationwide information campaign “Leave no Child Alone: Instructions for Care” on April 21.

The goal of the campaign is to draw public attention to the violation of children’s rights during the war and to provide comprehensive information on how to solve these problems. In particular, it concerns the rights of children left without parental care due to the war and in need of care and a temporary home. The campaign will provide information on how to properly support and protect the rights of children left without parental care, as well as provide instructions on the temporary shelter for children in the family.

“Today, the number of children deprived of parental care and being at risk is growing. First, these are children from regions where active hostilities and bombing of residential areas are taking place. The chat bot @dytyna_ne_sama_bot (“Child not alone”) is a tool which can help people give a temporary shelter in their family to a child who got lost or is left without parental care,” said Maryna Lazebna, Minister of Social Policy in Ukraine.

The campaign will scale-up access to the Telegram chatbot ‘@dytyna_ne_sama_bot’ (Leave no Child Alone), which provides opportunities for Ukrainian families and international organizations to submit an application to children’s services to provide temporary care for children in need. Over 15,000 Ukrainian families and more than 500 organizations from abroad have already submitted their applications through the chatbot. The chatbot also contains instructions for those who have lost or found a child.

“Even before the war, nearly 17,000 children in Ukraine were up for adoption. Orphans and children deprived of parental care need to grow up in a home and family environment instead of upbringing in institutional care facilities. With each bombing, the number of these children is increasing. We are planning to improve the adoption process and will digitize some of its components, which will be launched immediately after the war. Currently a large number of families are able and willing to help these children – they need additional information and latest updates on the process,” said Dariya Herasymchuk, Advisor to the President of Ukraine on the Rights of the Child and Child Rehabilitation.

The Ministry of Social Policy will launch a new webpage with specific guidance on the protection of child rights during wartime. UNICEF is providing technical support for the content development and management of the page.

“Every child in Ukraine needs assistance, as this horrific war continues, but children without parental care are particularly at risk of exploitation and abuse,” said UNICEF Ukraine Representative Murat Sahin.

“This campaign unites all our efforts to best protect children across the country,” Sahin added.

The three-month campaign integrates digital content and outdoor advertising, as well as national and international media engagement. The campaign also features prominent Ukrainians and opinion leaders.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 21 April 2022.

Ukraine needs heavy weapons to protect the lives of its citizens and to counter the Russian army, which has a numerical advantage in personnel and equipment. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen in Kyiv.

The Head of State stressed that in negotiations with all foreign partners, the issue of providing Ukraine with heavy weapons is a priority for him.

“The issue of weaponry is the most important. Yes, we also talked about finances that can support our pensioners, about social support where partners can help us. Because the economy in times of war is not about the economy. This is about plugging holes. This is a difficult story. But without weapons there will be nothing: no economy, no pensions, no salaries. Because there will be no one to protect. So far, we are raising the issue so that there is something to protect our population with,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President thanked the Prime Ministers of Spain and Denmark for the weapons that have already arrived and are yet to be delivered.

The President stressed that the timely provision of the necessary weapons will save the lives of citizens, which is a priority for Ukraine.

“We really want to save lives, to this end we need this equipment, which is lacking,” he said.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there are two ways to liberate civilians and servicemen from Mariupol, which has been blocked by Russian troops: military and diplomatic. The implementation of the military way requires weapons, which are currently insufficient, and the help of our partners.

People can be liberated more quickly through diplomacy, and Ukraine has offered several options, including with the participation of mediators, as well as in the format of exchanging the wounded, but Russia does not agree to this, the President said.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 21 April 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark Mette Frederiksen who are on a visit to our country.

The Ukrainian President noted that the joint visit of the heads of government of European states is an important signal of solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people and the unity of Ukraine with the EU states in the fight against Russian aggression.

During the meeting in Kyiv, the interlocutors discussed in detail the possibilities of strengthening Ukraine’s armed response to the aggressor, rebuilding our state after winning the war and future membership in the European Union.

“We have crucial difficult days ahead, a crucial battle for our state, for our land, for the Ukrainian Donbas. We are doing everything we can so that our defenders can defend our land and protect their own lives very effectively. Ukraine’s needs have been explained to our guests today. We are waiting for the prompt aid from them,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a meeting with media representatives following talks with the Prime Ministers of Spain and Denmark.

The President thanked both countries for their assistance in strengthening the capabilities of Ukraine’s defense forces.

Also during the talks, the parties agreed to continue to work actively to increase sanctions pressure on Russia.

“This pressure must increase until the aggression on the part of the Russian Federation is terminated. And I really want all these sanctions to be profound and really effective, so that the Russian Federation really feels it. If there is a disconnection from SWIFT, do it to all banks. Don’t just raise the issue of restricting energy supplies from Russia to Europe, but specifically impose an embargo on oil and gas,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In addition, the President of Ukraine discussed with Pedro Sánchez and Mette Frederiksen the strengthening of financial support and specific projects of the post-war reconstruction of our state, the patronage of which could be undertaken by Denmark and Spain.

“So that every person from one state or another feels that he or she has made a great, historical contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine,” the President said.

The parties paid special attention to Ukraine’s movement towards membership in the European Union.

“Ukraine, we believe, deserves faster accession to the EU. We really count on your support, on the support of your teams, your people and communities. We consider ourselves equal, not better than you, but definitely equal. And we really want to be in alliance with partners and friends who are here today and who help us,” the President stressed.

For her part, Mette Frederiksen noted that Denmark has provided substantial political, financial and sanctions assistance to Ukraine from the very beginning, as well as the necessary equipment and weapons. She announced a new contribution to Ukrainian defense and security in the amount of DKK 600,000.

The Prime Minister noted the importance of demining the de-occupied territories and restoring the work of utilities so that people could return to normal life as soon as possible.

Mette Frederiksen said that during the current visit she visited Borodyanka in the Kyiv region and saw with her own eyes what was happening there during the Russian occupation. She expressed support for the Ukrainian people.

The Prime Minister of Denmark emphasized the support of the International Criminal Court for the documentation of all crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine, as well as the support of affected families who deserve justice. “We must ensure that all those responsible for crimes are punished,” she added.

The Prime Minister of Denmark informed that her country officially confirmed the consent to the offer put forward by Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the speech in the Danish Parliament concerning the participation in the reconstruction of Mykolaiv.

“Putin tried to divide us – to sow discord between Europe and Ukraine. He was defeated in this. What happened in the last month is undoubtedly an expression of extraordinary solidarity with Ukraine, which has in fact become part of Europe. The EU and global partners have imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia, and together we will do even more,” said Mette Frederiksen.

Pedro Sánchez also assured that Spain and its people support Ukraine in defending freedom and European democratic values, strongly condemn Russia’s actions and stand against this unjust war.

He stressed that Spain will fully support Ukraine on its path to EU membership.

“We support, Mr. President, your intention to join the European family. You have the right to choose your destiny and you have a very legitimate reason to do so by joining the common European home,” said Pedro Sánchez, addressing Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He condemned the atrocities committed by the occupiers in Ukraine which cannot go unpunished. Pedro Sánchez said that Spain would assist in the investigation of crimes by sending a group of experts of various kinds, including forensic experts.

“We want Putin to bear responsibility for his crimes, for the crimes of his country. We will help Ukraine, the Ukrainian people until we achieve our goal – freedom and peace for Ukraine,” the Spanish Prime Minister assured.

Pedro Sánchez reminded that in recent weeks, Spain has provided assistance to Ukraine’s medical system, military equipment and weapons. Spain has contributed € 120 million to the European Peace Fund and supported the humanitarian package with a € 31 million contribution. The funds will be directed primarily to the needs of women and children.

He assured that assistance will be further provided. The Prime Minister of Spain said that a new cargo of 200 tons of ammunition and other materiel is already arriving in Ukraine.

Pedro Sánchez also said that Spain aims to restore the work of its embassy in Ukraine.