Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian and Russian delegations held the first round of negotiations in order to find common ground for the fastest ceasefire

    PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian and Russian delegations held the first round of negotiations in order to find common ground for the fastest ceasefire

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 February 2022.

    Ukrainian and Russian delegations held the first round of negotiations in the area of the Ukraine-Belarus border in order to find common ground for the fastest ceasefire.

    The parties discussed in detail a number of key topics on which they have prospects for finding mutually acceptable decisions.

    A decision was made to immediately hold additional consultations in the capitals of the states. After that, the second round of negotiations of Ukrainian and Russian parties is to take place in the near future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an application for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union

    PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an application for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 February 2022.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an application for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.

    Also, together with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, a Joint Statement was signed.

    The documents stipulate that Ukraine respects the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, and is honored to apply for membership in accordance with Article 49 of this Treaty.

    “Ukraine, paying such a huge price for the European choice and security of Europe, will be able to go through this path,” the documents read.

    The success of European integration of Ukraine will be a significant contribution to the stability and safety of the European continent.

    Ukraine will ask to consider an application according to a special procedure, that is to immediately begin a formal process, which will grant our state a status of candidate for membership.

    The documents are addressed to Emmanuel Macron, President of France, which presides the Council of the European Union, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – We appeal to the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession to the EU under a new special procedure

    PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – We appeal to the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession to the EU under a new special procedure

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 February 2022.

    Ukraine appeals to the European Union for the immediate accession to the EU under a new special procedure. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his address.

    “Europeans are aware that our soldiers are fighting for our country and, consequently, for the whole of Europe. For peace for all European countries, for the lives of children, for equality, for democracy. And this gives us the full right to do the following. We appeal to the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession under a new special procedure,” the Head of State emphasized.

    The President is grateful to Ukraine’s partners for standing with Ukrainians, but mentioned that Ukraine’s goal is to be with all Europeans and, most importantly, to be equal.

    “I am confident that is fair. I am confident we deserve it. I am confident that all this is possible,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian delegation arrived in the area of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border to participate in talks with representatives of the Russian Federation

    PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian delegation arrived in the area of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border to participate in talks with representatives of the Russian Federation

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 February 2022.

    The Ukrainian delegation arrived in the area of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border to take part in talks with representatives of the Russian Federation.

    The delegation included Head of the Servant of the People faction Davyd Arakhamia, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov, Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podoliak, First Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Delegation to the TCG Andriy Kostin, MP Rustem Umerov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mykola Tochytskyi.

    The key issue of the talks is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Regarding the negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia

    PRESS RELEASE : Regarding the negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 27 February 2022.

    Alexander Lukashenko called President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

    The politicians have agreed that the Ukrainian delegation will meet with the Russian delegation without preconditions on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, near the Pripyat River.

    Alexander Lukashenko has taken responsibility for ensuring that all planes, helicopters and missiles located on Belarusian territory remain on the ground during the Ukrainian delegation’s passage, negotiations and return.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appeal to foreign citizens to help Ukraine in fighting against Russia’s aggression

    PRESS RELEASE : Appeal to foreign citizens to help Ukraine in fighting against Russia’s aggression

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 27 February 2022.

    Early in the morning of February 24, 2022, Russia launched a new military operation against Ukraine, an unjustified criminal and cynical intrusion. The Russian army is using very vile tactics with all elements of war crimes under Geneva 1949 Convention, killing civilians and destroying their homes with missiles and artillery.

    Ukrainians have manifested the courage to defend their homeland and save Europe and its values from a Russian onslaught. This is not just Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is the beginning of a war against Europe, against European structures, against democracy, against basic human rights, against a global order of law, rules and peaceful coexistence.

    The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is addressing all citizens of the world, friends of Ukraine, peace and democracy. Anyone who wants to join the defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world can come and fight side by side with the Ukrainians against the Russian war criminals.

    According to Regulation on Military Service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine by citizens of their countries and stateless persons approved by Decree of the President of Ukraine # 248 of June 10, 2016, foreigners have the right to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine for military service under Contract of a voluntary basis to be included in the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forced of Ukraine. A separate subdivision is being formed of foreigners entitled the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine. There is no greater contribution witch you can make for the sake of peace.

    For enrolment and details please contact the Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Ukraine in your country (contact information – on the website of the Embassy).

    Give Peace a chance by protecting Ukraine and stopping the criminal invaders!

  • PRESS RELEASE : President posthumously awarded Vitaliy Skakun the title of Hero of Ukraine

    PRESS RELEASE : President posthumously awarded Vitaliy Skakun the title of Hero of Ukraine

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 February 2022.

    President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Decree № 74/2022 on awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine to sapper, sailor Vitaliy Skakun (posthumously) for outstanding personal courage and heroism shown in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath.

    “I approved a decision to posthumously award the title of Hero of Ukraine to Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Skakun, a sapper of the 35th Separate Marine Brigade. At the cost of his own life, he blew up the bridge,” the Head of State said.

    Vitaliy Skakun died on February 24, 2022 during the detonation of the Henichesk Bridge, which was carried out to stop the advance of a tank column of Russian troops.

  • PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine expects from Russia a full-fledged negotiation process, not the language of ultimatums – Mykhailo Podoliak

    PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine expects from Russia a full-fledged negotiation process, not the language of ultimatums – Mykhailo Podoliak

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 February 2022.

    Ukraine does not refuse to negotiate with the Russian Federation, yet is ready only for a full-fledged negotiation process without unacceptable conditions and ultimatums, said Mykhailo Podoliak, Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office.

    “Any war inevitably ends with negotiations. Ukraine heard the negotiating position outlined in Moscow. They know our view on the negotiating format and our negotiating position. Therefore, their comments that we allegedly refused to negotiate are just part of their tactics,” he said.

    Mykhailo Podoliak noted that Russia is trying to drive negotiations into a dead end before they even begin, and a different approach is needed.

    “Negotiations must be based on common sense and be such that a fair solution can be worked out in the interests of the people and the national statehood of Ukraine,” the Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office said.

    At the same time, as Mykhailo Podoliak noted, by their resistance, Ukrainians have proved that driving them into a dead end is an unrealistic ambition.

    “The lie of Russians that they allegedly had the order to stop is refuted by the very reality that the whole world saw on Friday night. And this morning. The fighting was fierce, at maximum intensity,” he noted.

    That is why President Zelenskyy categorically does not accept any unacceptable conditions and ultimatums for Ukraine.

    “Only full-fledged negotiations,” Mykhailo Podoliak emphasized.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mykhailo Podolyak on the Russian invasion – Russian troops have not gained any operational and tactical advantage in Ukraine

    PRESS RELEASE : Mykhailo Podolyak on the Russian invasion – Russian troops have not gained any operational and tactical advantage in Ukraine

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 February 2022.

    The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have not gained any operational and tactical advantage over the past 24 hours, which indicates that Ukraine is winning. This was stated by Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office Mykhailo Podoliak.

    “We understood that tonight would be difficult, because Russia planned to use and used all its resources and reserves to inflict maximum damage on us in the maximum number of our cities. I will say at once that this did not happen – the Armed Forces of Ukraine together with the National Police of Ukraine completely control the whole situation and the territory of our state,” he stressed.

    According to the Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office, heavy fighting continues in the south in the cities of Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa. Russia considers this direction a priority.

    “They wanted to establish themselves there, but there is no hint that they succeeded,” said Mykhailo Podoliak.

    Also, according to him, the direction of Kyiv remains a priority for Russia, as the goal of the special operation of the Russian Federation is to destroy the political and military leadership of Ukraine.

    “For this reason, there was an attempt to draw the maximum amount of equipment and forces of the Russian Armed Forces to the city of Kyiv. At the moment, we can say the following: the situation in the city and on the outskirts of the city is under control,” said the Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office.

    He added that there are some enemy subversive reconnaissance units against which the police and representatives of the Territorial Defense Forces are actively working. In addition, the Armed Forces are actively working on the outskirts of Kyiv.

    According to Mykhailo Podoliak, fierce fighting continues around the city of Mariupol in the southern direction.

    “But there is no chance that Mariupol will side with the Russian Federation or be captured by the Russian armed forces at the moment,” he said.

    In addition, according to the Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President, air alarms are constantly working in many cities of the country, because the Russian army uses missile artillery and aircraft for direct strikes on Ukrainian cities.

    “However, as of 7 am, February 26, despite the amount of resources and reserves that were thrown into the active offensive of the Russian Federation, the armed forces of this country did not receive any operational and tactical advantage. This shows that Ukraine has not just survived – Ukraine is winning” he said.

    Mykhailo Podoliak stressed that Ukraine’s defense is actively carried out by the Armed Forces, the National Police and the Territorial Defense.

    “People know how to defend their country. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is working on a regular basis. Today, as in the last two days, he will hold a series of important talks with representatives of our Western partners in order to form the most effective coalition against the Russian Federation,” he said.

    The Adviser to the Head of the President’s Office noted that the country is controlled, and this is very important, because the enemy uses a lot of disinformation to make Ukrainians lose faith in their victory.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost for UK economy and rail industry through new Israel partnership

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost for UK economy and rail industry through new Israel partnership

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 24 August 2022.

    • UK to secure new business opportunities as Transport Secretary signs partnership with Israel, offering potential jobs for nation’s rail industry
    • new UK-Israel Memorandum of Understanding to extend the benefits of Crossrail expertise overseas, promoting global Britain and enabling British engineers to team up with companies abroad
    • move follows successful launch of the Elizabeth Line bringing an estimated £42 billion to UK economy

    Fresh business opportunities and potential new jobs will be unlocked for the UK’s rail industry thanks to a new partnership signed by the Transport Secretary with Israel today (24 August 2022).

    A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed by the two countries to share expertise on large scale rail projects, following the successful launch of the UK’s Elizabeth Line earlier this year.

    The benefits of the state-of-the-art line will be extended overseas, through the Department for Transport’s Crossrail International advisory company. This follows the introduction of the Elizabeth Line, which slashed fares by over a third for commuters across London and massively reduced journey times. The project is also estimated to pump £42 billion into the UK economy and has created more than 55,000 jobs and 1,000 apprenticeships while expanding central London’s rail capacity by 10%.

    It is now hoped business opportunities with Israel, the UK’s third biggest transport goods trading partner, will not only enable firms to share valuable expertise, but boost economic growth and could lead to more jobs being created.

    In July, the UK launched negotiations with Israel to upgrade the current trade deal, currently worth £5 billion and supports 6,600 UK businesses. The upgraded agreement would establish a modern, revamped trading relationship between two of the world’s services superpowers.  This includes seeking improved access to major public sector contracts for UK businesses and boosting opportunities for the services sector.

    In 2021 alone, the UK imported £144 million of transportation services from Israel, highlighting the close relationship between our two nations.

    As part of the Transport Secretary’s visit to Israel this week, he has visited the building site of Tel Aviv’s new light rail line and will meet with the Israeli Transport Minister Merav Michaeli.

    Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

    “Today’s partnership further ingrains our commitment to a global Britain, helping our world-leading rail industry to extend its expertise to friends overseas, while unlocking fresh business opportunities to boost the UK economy. 

    Following the successful launch of our iconic Elizabeth Line earlier this year, this memorandum is a fantastic opportunity for our British engineers and advisors to share their ingenuity with Israel as they undertake their largest ever rail project in Tel Aviv. 

    It was a pleasure to visit the project site this week to see first-hand the ongoing work to build such a revolutionary transport hub which will help millions of passengers get from A to B quicker, easier and more sustainably. ”

    Minister of Transport and Road Safety, Merav Michaeli:

    “Transport is a national security issue. This is accepted and understood around the world, and I am happy to strengthen ties and enter into agreements with other countries that make Israel stronger.

    I would like to thank my colleague Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps for his visit to Israel and for the ground-breaking cooperation we have created together. I am confident that the know-how we have shared and the agreements we have signed will result in better transportation in both countries, and particularly greener, shared transport that the world needs so much as we face the climate crisis. These steps contribute to strengthening the relations between Israel and the United Kingdom and are a cornerstone of our important bilateral ties.

    This is how we are moving Israeli transport several steps forward.”

    The UK-Israel MOU comes as Israel undertakes a multi-billion-pound mass transit project in Tel Aviv – the country’s largest and most complicated infrastructure project to ever exist.

    The scheme is being supported by the Department for Transport owned Crossrail International, a specialist advisory company which offers its expertise across the globe to deliver complex rail projects. The project will see the build of 3 light rail and metro lines to serve 27 local authorities and 3 million passengers daily.

    The new memorandum will allow both countries to share experience and best practice in relation to large-scale transport projects.

    For example, the UK’s Crossrail International will offer advice to Israel on design, safety and standards of new train lines across the country. Expertise will also be shared on ensuring the build of transport projects is as green and sustainable as possible.

    Chief Executive Officer of Crossrail International Paul Dyson said:

    “Our aim is to share good practice, lessons learned and innovation to provide better outcomes and wider benefits for our respective societies.

    Crossrail International is extremely proud to be a partner of this MoU and to act as a conduit of UK knowledge, skills and expertise that will support the Israeli Ministry of Transport in the delivery of its transformational rail transit portfolio.”

    The memorandum between the Department for Transport and the Israeli Ministry of Transport and Road Safety is set to boost the UK economy by offering British engineers the chance to provide bespoke advice in relation to Tel Aviv’s new metro line.