Tag: 2022

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an online call discussed with the members of one of the world’s most popular bands, Imagine Dragons, their future collaboration with the fundraising platform UNITED24.

The musicians will promote the Medical Aid direction of UNITED24. In particular, they will support the fundraising for ambulances, which was started by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

“In 2018, you visited our country for the first time. In 2022, you are still doing your best so that the voice of Ukraine continues to be heard throughout the world. Thank you for this!” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The group’s lead singer, Dan Reynolds, said: “We love the people of Ukraine and want to help in any way possible. Injustices like this can only be conquered when people around the world come together. We stand by the beautiful people of Ukraine and their courageous leader President Zelenskyy.”

According to the musician, Imagine Dragons will work with UNITED24 and local leaders to continually find ways to raise awareness and funds for the people until this unjust war ends.

“We look forward to the day when we can play a concert again in Kyiv and celebrate freedom, life and music with the resilient and strong people of Ukraine,” Reynolds said.

The first project the band will support as part of this collaboration is a fundraiser for Ambulance Vehicles launched by Olena Zelenska to help save thousands of lives. Today’s estimated number of reanimobiles needed in Ukraine is 400. Such vehicles are equipped with everything required to transport the severely injured to a hospital: oxygen tanks, cardiomonitors, defibrillators, electrocardiographs and ALV devices. The approximate cost of one C-type ambulance vehicle is EUR 100,000.

Imagine Dragons are the latest to join legendary footballer Andriy Shevchenko, outstanding tennis player Elina Svitolina, and American actor Liev Schreiber, who are all already helping the fundraising platform UNITED24 raise funds for Ukraine. The next ambassador will be announced in the upcoming week.

The Grammy Award winners have had a long, heartfelt connection with their Ukrainian audience. In 2018, they visited Ukraine for the first time: tickets to the largest concert venue – the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv – sold out in the first few weeks. The group was supposed to return on June 3, 2022, but the event had to be canceled due to the Russian invasion. The artists immediately canceled their planned performance in the Russian Federation as well, and banned the release of their discography there. Additionally, the American band supported Ukraine by performing at the Save Ukraine telethon, and during this year’s European tour, the group’s lead singer, Dan Reynolds, was rarely seen without the Ukrainian flag, dedicating songs to the country.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the delegation of the House of Representatives of the United States of America led by Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith.

The head of the Ukrainian state noted the importance of this visit, which is a strong signal of support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We appreciate the help of the United States in defending our territory, our land and the Ukrainian people. I would like to thank President Biden and the US Congress, where we have important bicameral and bipartisan support, for the leading position of the United States,” Zelenskyy said.

The President also thanked for the warm welcome First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska received during her visit to the United States, for the opportunity given to her to speak in the Congress and deliver important messages from the Ukrainian people.

The head of state noted the importance of security assistance to Ukraine from the United States, the latest package of which, containing the much-needed HIMARS launcher systems, shells and unmanned aerial vehicles, was announced the day before.

Zelenskyy briefed the U.S. congressmen on the large number of missile strikes launched today by Russian troops on Ukraine, in particular on the territory of the Odesa port. He said that this happened less than a day after the agreements regarding the export of Ukrainian grain were reached in Istanbul.

“This proves only one thing: no matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways not to implement it. Geopolitically, with weapons, bloodily or not, but it has several vectors, as it always acts,” the President said.

The head of state said that this is why Ukraine cannot be a country where there is a “frozen” war. According to him, it is extremely necessary for our state to be able to take appropriate steps to de-occupy Ukrainian territories.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy also informed the representatives of the United States Congress about the work on the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, the first stage of which is the implementation of the Fast Recovery Plan – a plan for the quick restoration of destroyed residential, educational, and medical infrastructure.

“We appeal to our partners, in particular the United States, with a proposal to take an active part in the implementation of this ambitious but extremely important project,” the President said.

Zelenskyy also thanked the congressmen, in particular the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, for their determination to continue supporting our state, helping it defend its independence and territorial integrity.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 20 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched in Kyiv the live broadcast of the speech by First Lady Olena Zelenska in the US Congress, which took place as part of her visit to the United States of America.

The Head of State is convinced that the visit of Olena Zelenska will be a significant contribution to the deepening of cooperation between Ukraine and the US. He expressed hope that the First Lady’s address to American parliamentarians and government officials will encourage them to make important decisions in support of our country and increase aid to the protection of Ukrainians from Russian invasion.

Olena Zelenska became the first wife of a state leader to speak in the US Congress. She addressed the congressmen on behalf of Ukrainian mothers and children and all citizens who died or suffered from Russian aggression.

The First Lady noted the contribution of every American family, Congress, and President Joseph Biden to Ukraine’s ability to resist the enemy and protect the lives of millions of Ukrainian citizens.

“You help us very powerfully. While Russia kills, America saves. And you should know it. We thank you,” she noted.

At the same time, Olena Zelenska emphasized that the war is not over yet and Russia continues its terror.

“I’m asking for something now that I never wanted to ask for. I am asking you for weapons! Weapons not for waging war on someone else’s land, but to protect our home and the right to wake up in it alive. I am asking you for anti-aircraft defense – so that rockets do not kill children in their strollers. So that they do not destroy children’s rooms and entire families,” Olena Zelenska said.

She called on the American people to help stop the terror against Ukrainians, and this “will be our joint great victory in the name of life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness of every person and every family.”

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 20 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Lipavský.

The Head of State thanked Austria and the Czech Republic for supporting the decision to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union.

“This is a powerful support. We have a lot of work ahead regarding the important things that European society, the European Council and the European Commission advise us,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President expressed confidence that Ukraine will meet all the necessary requirements for EU membership.

“I would really like to open a new page in the life of Ukraine as a full member of the European Union. And this new page is the beginning of a dialogue regarding the accession to the European Union,” the Head of State emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that in this matter Ukraine counts on the support of the Czech Republic given the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The President thanked Austria and the Czech Republic for helping Ukraine during a full-scale Russian invasion.

“I would like to thank you for the attitude of your societies and governments to supporting our people, Ukrainians, especially forcibly displaced persons, women and children. I am grateful to you for the warm welcome and help you provide to them,” the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Czech Republic for the powerful defense support, which is tangible for our Armed Forces.

The President also thanked Austria for the humanitarian aid, in particular the provision of ambulance vehicles and fire trucks to our country.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 20 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

The leaders discussed the situation on the front and the efforts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to counter the aggressor and to liberate our territories. The President of the European Council condemned regular Russian missile strikes at peaceful Ukrainian cities.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine needs more modern heavy weapons to win. In this context, he thanked the member states for the approval of the decision to allocate the fifth package of financial assistance in the amount of 500 million euros in the framework of the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The parties discussed the introduction of the planned seventh package of EU sanctions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for further significant strengthening of sanctions pressure on the aggressor country.

The Head of State thanked Charles Michel for his leadership in the issue of granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership.

“Ukraine will not stand still and has already started to actively implement the recommendations of the European Commission to move to the next stage – the start of accession negotiations,” he emphasized.

In this context, Charles Michel positively assessed the approval by the competition commission of the winner for the position of Head of the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office and the intensification of the selection process for the Head of the National Anticorruption Bureau. He expressed confidence that other recommendations would be implemented at the same rapid pace.

The President of Ukraine and the President of the European Council discussed the financial needs of our country to maintain macroeconomic stability. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the European Union for its decision to allocate 1 billion euros in the framework of the new program of macro-financial assistance. At the same time, he expressed expectations for the rapid implementation of this program in full, which, according to the decision of the European Council, amounts to 9 billion euros.

The interlocutors agreed on the need to maintain proper political dialogue and discussed the holding of the 24th Ukraine-EU Summit this year.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 15 July 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denys Monastyrsky, who returned from the city of Vinnytsia.

The Minister of Internal Affairs reported to the Head of State about the consequences of the missile attacks on the city by the Russian army.

A total of 23 people have been killed in Vinnytsia, including three children, due to the criminal actions of the aggressor. Some 197 victims turned to health care institutions. Four people remain missing.

Monastyrsky also briefed the President on the shelling of the city of Mykolaiv, where two people have been injured in an attack on the educational building of the Pedagogical University by four missiles. Four more missiles struck the seven-story building of the National Shipbuilding University.

“Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, targeting civilians. We will do everything to find and punish those who give criminal orders and those who obey them,” Zelenskyy said.

The President and the Minister of Internal Affairs discussed security issues, including the introduction of the 112 number as a single system of assistance to citizens, the introduction of a biometric identification and verification system based on fingerprints and facial recognition, which should ensure the fastest possible solving of crimes and the creation of a safe environment for citizens.

Particular attention was paid to the implementation of the Unified Weapons Register with full functionality, which will bring the interaction of citizens and police authorities to a qualitatively new level in the matter of civilized legal circulation of weapons in Ukraine.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 14 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Gold Star Orders to servicemen who were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, and to members of the families of fallen defenders who were awarded this title posthumously.

The ceremony took place in the White Hall of Heroes of Ukraine in the Mariyinsky Palace in the city of Kyiv.

“This is not just a ceremony – this is a manifestation of the highest gratitude on behalf of the entire Ukrainian people to those whose courage and wisdom on the battlefield save Ukraine, save the lives of millions of our citizens,” said the Head of State.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the fate of the Ukrainian people is being decided in the brutal war that Russia started against Ukraine.

“All generations of Ukrainians who will live on this land will always remember the feat of those who stopped the Russian invasion and bring our victory closer. Thousands of people gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine,” he said.

The President emphasized that today he presents 14 Gold Star Orders, beyond which are not just heroic deeds, but saved lives and the mandatory defeat of the Russian occupiers.

“The inevitable defeat of the enemy, saved cities of Ukraine, saved people, saved comrades are beyond them. The personalities who managed to become the best are beyond them. The families who raised and supported our heroes are beyond them,” said the Head of State.

The President thanked the relatives of the defenders for the fact that the Ukrainian people have such heroes, and therefore, they will have a victory.

Those present honored the memory of the victims with a moment of silence.

Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhny also took part in the ceremony.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 12 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of Poland Mariusz Błaszczak.

The Head of State thanked Poland and its defense department for supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia.

“The Ministry of Defense of Poland supports the Ukrainian army, the strength of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This confirms that we are together in the current difficult situation – in this tragedy that is happening now in Ukraine due to Russian aggression,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President expressed his belief that in the future, already in peacetime, relations between Ukraine and Poland will develop and the countries will become even closer.

The Head of State is also confident in the strengthening of defense cooperation between the two states.

Separately, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on behalf of the Ukrainian people and personally thanked Poland for supporting the citizens of Ukraine who found refuge from the full-scale Russian war in the territory of the neighboring country.

For his part, Mariusz Błaszczak thanked Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the entire Ukrainian people for their resilience in confronting the aggressor.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for your position, because the freedom and independence of Ukraine is the freedom and independence of Poland. Thank you for protecting us,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 July 2022.

Ukraine is constantly negotiating with partner states, in particular with the Netherlands, regarding the supply of weapons necessary to repel Russian aggression, but the details of these negotiations should not be disclosed in order not to give advantage to the enemy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during a conversation with media representatives following a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Kyiv.

“I am not sure that I can tell absolutely everything we are negotiating with the Dutch government. I would not like to prepare the Russian Federation for unpleasant surprises for them,” said the Head of State.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine needs, in particular, the supply of as many artillery systems as possible. And this issue was also discussed during the meeting with Mark Rutte.

“I talked about the artillery with all the partners who are ready to talk with us and provide strong support. Artillery is really not enough,” said the President.

The Head of State emphasized that the Ukrainian troops are fighting every day to de-occupy all the territories of Ukraine.

“I can say that the task of all our military is to de-occupy our entire territory. I think this is the task of every citizen of our country,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law “On establishing legal and social guarantees for citizens of the Republic of Poland in the territory of Ukraine.”

As a sign of gratitude to the Polish people for their solidarity and support of Ukraine in the face of full-scale armed aggression by Russia and taking into account the principle of reciprocity, the draft law provides for the establishment of rights and guarantees for Polish citizens residing in Ukraine similar to those established in the Law of the Republic of Poland “On assistance to the citizens of Ukraine due to the armed conflict on the territory of this country” adopted on March 12, 2022.

The draft law developed at the initiative of the Head of State envisages, in particular, granting Polish citizens and their family members the possibility of legal stay on the territory of Ukraine for 18 months from the date of adoption of the law. Poles will also receive the right to employment, economic activity, study in educational institutions, medical care on the territory of Ukraine and separate social benefits in accordance with Ukrainian legislation.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Decree No. 484/2022 on conferring the honorary title of the Rescuer City upon the Polish city of Przemyśl.

The award honors the unprecedented solidarity of the local authorities, residents and volunteers of Przemyśl with the Ukrainian people, comprehensive large-scale assistance to citizens of Ukraine who were forced to leave their homeland as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, as well as significant support for Ukraine in the defense of its independence and sovereignty.

Przemyśl became the second city, after Polish Rzeszów, to receive this honorary title.