Tag: 2022

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

During a meeting with President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda and President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the consequences of the Russian Federation’s actions for European and regional security and coordinated efforts to counter Russian aggression.

The President of Ukraine stressed that the personal presence in Kyiv of true friends of Ukraine Andrzej Duda and Gitanas Nausėda is very important and valuable at this difficult time.

“We have discussed the consequences of Russia’s actions for European and regional security. We share the view that the future of European security is now being decided at home, in Ukraine. We’ve coordinated our efforts to counter Russian aggression and de-escalate the conflict,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He noted that Poland and Lithuania support Ukraine not only in words, but also in deeds, and make an important contribution to increasing the defense capabilities of our country.

“The protective helmets, ammunition and Stinger man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems handed over to our security and defense forces are the help that the Ukrainian military needs right now,” the President said.

In addition, the President of Ukraine expressed gratitude for the fact that Lithuanian and Polish diplomats keep working in Ukraine, and this is an important signal.

“We also appreciate the immediate and clear reaction of Warsaw and Vilnius to the recent decisions of the Russian Federation to recognize the “independence” of quasi-entities, the so-called LPR and DPR, and to allow the use of Russian troops outside the Russian Federation. We are united in our assessments of these crimes, these decisions of the Russian Federation. This is another act of aggression against Ukraine, against our sovereignty, our territorial integrity. This is the legitimization of the military presence of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied Donbas, which had been concealed behind separatist chevrons for eight years. This is a unilateral withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the Minsk agreements and an undermining of many years of international efforts to peacefully resolve the situation in the Ukrainian Donbas,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President is convinced that the response of the international community to this another one crime of Russia must be decisive, tough and urgent.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine welcomes the decisions to impose new sanctions against Russia, which were adopted by the European Union, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

“We look forward to further steps of increasing sanctions pressure against Russia,” he added.

Germany’s decision to stop the certification of Nord Stream 2 is also important.

“It must become irreversible and completely stop this project, which is a weapon that is already being used against Ukraine and against Europe,” the President stressed.

For his part, Andrzej Duda noted that he and Gitanas Nausėda arrived in Kyiv to support Ukraine, which today faces the threat of Russian aggression. He noted that the steps taken by the President of Russia today are a threat not only to Ukraine, but also to our entire region, including the eastern flank of NATO and the EU as a whole.

“That’s why we exchanged information about our initiatives and actions,” Andrzej Duda said.

The President of Poland stated that today, right in front of us, the security architecture in Europe, which has guaranteed peace in recent decades, is collapsing. The current events are a test of the unity of the European Union and NATO, so we need to demonstrate unity in order to ensure peace and security.

Andrzej Duda also called on the Russian leadership to refrain from armed aggression against Ukraine.

President Gitanas Nausėda added that Lithuania does not recognize any attempt to undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He praised the reaction of the EU and other countries to Russia’s actions on recognizing the certain districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

“Only a serious and powerful response can stop further escalation of the conflict,” he said.

According to the Lithuanian leader, NATO must also give a clear signal that it will not change its policy on freedom of accession, and no country in the world has the right to undermine the sovereignty of another state if it wishes to join the Alliance.

“We cannot allow military force or threat to be the deciding factor,” Gitanas Nausėda concluded.

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

During a meeting in Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda and President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda discussed cooperation between the three countries within international organizations.

Thus, in a joint statement signed as a result of today’s talks, the leaders of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania emphasize that “given the significant progress in the implementation of the Association Agreement and internal reforms, as well as the current security challenges, Ukraine deserves EU candidate status and the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland will support Ukraine in achieving this goal”.

According to Gitanas Nausėda, Ukraine has made significant efforts in reforms and reaffirmed its invariable commitment to joining the European Union.

Andrzej Duda noted that Ukraine deserves to receive this status, and assured that he would do everything possible to help it in this.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland for being among the first to recognize Ukraine’s European perspective and sign the relevant bilateral declarations.

“I am convinced that we should not stop there. Concrete steps by the EU that would demonstrate Ukraine’s move towards full membership could significantly support Ukraine in the current difficult situation. We talked about it a lot. We believe that today this is a very important signal for Ukrainian society, for the unification of our state,” said the President of Ukraine during a conversation with the media following talks with the leaders of the Lublin Triangle in Kyiv.

The Presidents of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland also discussed ensuring the full operation of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to prevent provocations and further possible escalation.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope for the support of the Polish chairmanship in the OSCE on this issue and thanked for the prompt convening of a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council.

The Presidents also discussed further joint steps within the regional formats of cooperation – the Lublin Triangle, the Bucharest Nine, the Three Seas Initiative, etc.

“Our meeting today confirmed that Lithuania and Poland stand with Ukraine. We appreciate it, friends,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.

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

We, the Presidents of Ukraine, the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland – the Lublin Triangle, gathered in Kyiv on 23 February 2022, express our strongest condemnation of the decision by the Russian Federation to recognise the quasi-entities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine – the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic” and “Donetsk People’s Republic”.

This unprovoked aggressive step by Russia constitutes yet another blatant violation of the fundamental norms and principles of the international law, including the UN Charter, as well as security assurances given to Ukraine in the framework of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.

Russia deliberately and unilaterally has withdrawn from the Minsk agreements and therefore bears full responsibility for further deterioration of the security situation on the ground.

We reaffirm our strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters. The Russian Federation’s decision to recognise the so-called “LNR” and “DPR” will have no legal implications.

We call upon the international community to take resolute and far-reaching steps in response to this yet another act of aggression committed by Russia against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This response should include swift introduction of robust package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, including the measures targeting the Nord Stream 2.

We urge Russia to de-escalate and to withdraw its armed forces deployed around Ukraine’s borders and in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, and to refrain from taking any further military actions.

The Presidents of Lithuania and Poland stand by Ukraine and fully commend and support its efforts to solve Russian-Ukrainian conflict by diplomatic and peaceful means.

Ukraine deserves our strongest support of its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, which goes in line with the free will and choice of the Ukrainian nation.

Lithuania and Poland reconfirm their support for Ukraine’s European perspective, in line with respective Joint Declarations signed on 18 March and on 3 May 2021.

We emphasize that, given the significant progress in the implementation of the Association Agreement and internal reforms, as well as the current security challenges, Ukraine deserves EU candidate status and the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland will support Ukraine in achieving this goal.

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.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 February 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is initiating a program of economic patriotism, which will provide targeted support to certain sectors of the economy, reduce the tax burden on entrepreneurs, limit inspections and create incentives to attract funds of the population to businesses and the banking system. The Head of State announced this in an address to citizens.

According to the President, while the Ukrainian servicemen are defending the country, other citizens must work and invest in the state’s economy, including funding for the army.

“A patriot is the one who fights with the enemy for his land. And the one who invests money in it and creates jobs on it. That is why we are launching a program of economic patriotism. These are additional incentives to localize our production. Targeted programs to support certain industries,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to him, the program of economic patriotism provides for reducing the tax burden on entrepreneurs, limiting inspections, creating incentives to attract funds of the population to businesses and the banking system. In addition, this program envisages the reduction of VAT on gasoline and diesel, which will help reduce fuel prices.

“Our goal is to gain economic independence. Especially in the energy sector,” the President said.

The President called on Ukrainian politicians to be statesmen at this time and to abandon their ambitions for the sake of Ukraine.

“I met with all leaders of parliamentary factions and groups. Everyone understands that today we need a Defense Coalition in the Parliament. Unity, quick and important decisions for the economic stability and defense capabilities of our state. Today, all politicians, all parties are of the same color – blue and yellow,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

He said that tomorrow he would hold a meeting with representatives of 50 largest Ukrainian companies in the field of big business.

“They all must stay in Ukraine. Their enterprises are located on Ukrainian land, which is protected by our military. Consequently, businesses must protect our economy, finances, and create jobs. Raise and strengthen Ukraine. Together, everyone on their own front,” the Head of State is convinced.

At the same time, the President noted that now there is no need to announce a general mobilization, instead there will be a call-up of citizens who are enlisted in the operational reserve of the Armed Forces. Training assembly of territorial defense reservists will also be held.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukrainians are a peaceful nation that wants silence.

“But if we remain silent today, we will disappear tomorrow. Daily hard work is ahead for all of us. And we are ready for it. Personal confidence. Confidence in the country. Confidence about our victory. Don’t weep, gain!” the Head of State emphasized.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 February 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with representatives of parliamentary factions and groups of the Verkhovna Rada.

The meeting was also attended by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov, Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, Head of the Security Service Ivan Bakanov, Commander-in-Chief of the AFU Valerii Zaluzhnyi, representatives of national security and defense bodies and the economic bloc.

The participants discussed the development of the situation on the state borders of Ukraine, as well as ways to respond to the risks that have arisen due to Russia’s recognition of terrorist formations in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The Head of State initiated the formation of the country’s Defense Coalition in the Parliament and stressed the importance of its creation at this time.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the representatives of the parliamentary factions to ensure the prompt adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of decisions related to strengthening the defense capabilities of our state. In particular, this applies to amendments to the state budget to increase expenditures on financing the national security and defense sector.

“We must be aware that such decisions require an immediate response from the Parliament. Therefore, I ask the leaders of the factions to ensure that the Verkhovna Rada makes decisions that will strengthen our defense sector as fast as possible. And this is exactly what can be resolved within the Defense Coalition, when everyone will work as quickly and harmoniously as possible,” the President said.

The Head of State also initiated meetings with representatives of Ukrainian business, at which they intend to consider the creation of an investment fund to help the Ukrainian army.

“It will be very good if Ukrainian business is actively involved in helping our army, our defenders, and Ukraine’s defense sector,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The participants of the meeting discussed possible formats of mediation of our partner countries in resolving the conflict in Donbas.

The meeting took place in a constructive, objective and trust-based atmosphere. Representatives of parliamentary factions supported the initiatives proposed by the President to strengthen the defense capabilities and external support of our country.

The people’s deputies also expressed their proposals on topical issues on the agenda.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 February 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had received a request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the severance of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The Head of State said this during a conversation with the media following the talks with President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis in Kyiv.

“Immediately after our press conference, I will work on this issue. And not only this issue, but also our effective steps as regards escalation on the part of the Russian Federation,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that it was not the first time that Ukraine called on Russia to resolve the issue of de-escalation through dialogue at the negotiating table.

“We are ready to do it on any platform, and Russia knows it. And not only Russia. In recent months, we have consulted with almost all the leaders of the EU, the United States and the United Kingdom, and proposed various formats of dialogue in which the Russian Federation would be present,” the President reminded.

The President stated that on February 21, by recognizing illegal formations in the occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the Russian Federation gave the answer that everyone saw.

“Ukraine must respond to this by defending its sovereignty and state,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

At the same time, according to the President, the Ukrainian side believes that a broad escalation on the part of Russia will not happen.

“But if it happens, (large-scale offensive – ed.), martial law will be imposed,” added Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 February 2022.

During the talks in Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis discussed further steps to intensify bilateral cooperation, especially in the trade, economic and investment spheres.

“We agreed that the contribution to strengthening the stability of Ukraine will be an increase in Estonian business, Estonian investment in Ukraine. Interest in the increase is mutual. Therefore, I invite Estonian investors to take a more active part in energy, infrastructure projects and IT development in Ukraine,” the President said during a meeting with media representatives following negotiations with the President of Estonia in Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the details of the cooperation should be discussed during the meeting of Alar Karis with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

In addition, during the talks, the presidents focused on expanding cooperation in the digital sphere and attracting Estonian investors to the Ukrainian Fund of Funds, as well as agreed to deepen cooperation on cybersecurity.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine and Estonia have many other important and promising areas for deepening cooperation. In particular, today the leaders discussed further cooperation within the Crimea Platform.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Estonia had expressed support for our humanitarian summit aimed at protecting the rights of Crimeans and de-occupying the Ukrainian Crimean peninsula.

“We paid special attention to the issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. We are grateful to Estonia for its strong support for our country’s aspirations to become a member of the European Union and NATO in the future. We hope that this year will be a year of concrete decisions that Ukraine needs,” he said.

The President thanked Alar Karis for the visit to Ukraine at a crucial moment for Ukrainian society and the independence of our state.

“Ukraine and Estonia have all the chances and, most importantly, a clear vision and desire to bring bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level. The current visit of the President is a clear confirmation of that,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 February 2022.

The decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the terrorist groups operating in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions is another manifestation of aggression against Ukraine and requires an immediate response from our partners, including the imposition of tough sanctions. This was emphasized by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives following talks with President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis in Kyiv.

“This is a new act of aggression against Ukraine, which requires an immediate and decisive response from international partners and the international community. We believe that this decision of the Russian Federation creates a legal basis for further armed aggression against the state of Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The President noted that with such a decision, Russia violates all possible bilateral and multilateral international obligations, the UN Security Council resolution on Ukraine of February 17, 2015.

“We share the common view that Russia’s escalation around Ukraine is an unprecedented challenge for Europe and the world at large. It is in Ukraine today that the future of European security is being decided, of which Ukraine is a part,” the Ukrainian President said.

He called on Europe and the world not to repeat the tragic mistakes made in Georgia in 2008.

“We agreed on the need to immediately impose sanctions for another act of aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions should include a complete halt to Nord Stream 2. In addition, today Ukraine needs more than ever support from partners in terms of defense capability and economic support, economic stability,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He thanked Alar Karis, who is visiting Ukraine for the first time as President of Estonia, which is especially important “in the context of a critical escalation of the security situation around Ukraine.”

“This is a very important signal for us, for Ukraine, for our society, great support. I am very grateful to you,” the President said.

“We consider your visit as a manifestation of solidarity on the part of Estonia, a reliable friend and partner of Ukraine within the EU and NATO. This is another important confirmation of Estonia’s firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the President added.

He also thanked Estonia for its decision to transfer certain weapons, including Javelin missiles and a modern military field hospital, which is an important contribution to enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Alar Karis, for his part, noted that Estonia remains close to Ukraine and will continue to support our country in all possible ways.

“Russia must stop provocations, stop inciting the conflict, which has been going on for eight years. Moscow must immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine. We condemn all military and hybrid actions against Ukraine,” he added.

Alar Karis expressed his condolences over casualties in this conflict.

According to the President of Estonia, despite all diplomatic efforts, the concentration of Russian troops around Ukraine continues, including in Belarus.

According to him, Western leaders must protect common values and democracy, among other things, by applying a strong package of sanctions, because the threat to Ukraine is a threat to European security.

He also called for the doors of the European Union and NATO to be open to Ukraine.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 February 2022.

The President of Ukraine and the President of the Republic of Estonia having met today in Kyiv stated the following.

The parties strongly condemn the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, launched in 2014, as well as the aggressive rhetoric, ultimatums and threats of force by the Russian Federation.

The parties firmly reject the provocations and attempts of the Russian Federation to aggravate the already tense security situation.

The parties call on the Russian Federation to choose the path of diplomacy, to take urgent steps to de-escalate and stop the destabilization of the security situation in and around Ukraine, in particular to withdraw its armed forces from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and from the immediate vicinity of the Ukrainian border.

The parties state that Russia’s recognition of the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” affirms a conscious unilateral withdrawal from the Minsk agreements and is a clear violation of international law, the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the most serious blow to the political-diplomatic settlement, which Ukraine and its partners are actively working to promote.

The Republic of Estonia reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The parties reiterate their commitment to a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the current crisis. They will continue to work towards a Europe united and at peace, of which Ukraine is an intrinsic part. They affirm the fundamental right of every nation to freely choose its security arrangements and reject any attempts to create dividing lines in Europe.