Tag: President of Ukraine

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held phone consultations with Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic Fernando Morgado and Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Spain Emma Aparici.

The interlocutors were informed about the liberation by the Armed Forces of Ukraine of a significant number of settlements in the Southern and Eastern directions. The Deputy Head of the President’s Office expressed his belief that the uninterrupted supply of the necessary weapons will enable our troops to continue returning the territories temporarily occupied by Russia.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked Spain and Portugal for strongly condemning the so-called referenda and conveyed the words of gratitude from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the heads of government of these countries for their clear position on non-recognition of another attempt to illegally annex Ukrainian territories. The Deputy Head of the President’s Office emphasized the importance of further steps in response to the recent actions of the Russian Federation, in particular through strengthening sanctions.

The parties discussed the implementation of Ukraine’s course on Euro-Atlantic integration. Ihor Zhovkva informed Fernando Morgado and Emma Aparici in detail about the application for joining NATO, which was signed by the President together with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and the Prime Minister on September 30, 2022.

“We count on substantive consideration of this issue by the members of the Alliance. It is important that during such a discussion the proposals of Ukraine, which were presented by the Yermak-Rasmussen working group in the framework of the Kyiv Security Compact, be taken into account,” Ihor Zhovkva emphasized.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

The wife of the President of Ukraine Olena Zelenska paid a visit to the Republic of Poland, during which she held a meeting with the first lady of this country Agata Kornhauser-Duda, spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum and received the Knight of Freedom Award awarded to the Ukrainian people.

Olena Zelenska began her visit with a meeting with the First Lady of the Republic of Poland.

The wife of the President of Ukraine thanked her colleague for the unchanging position of Poland – clear messages of support for our country were heard during the speech of President Andrzej Duda at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Olena Zelenska noted that supporting Ukraine is an investment in the future for the whole world. She spoke about a new opportunity for such support – Olena Zelenska Foundation, which she recently presented in New York.

“This is a new way to participate in the recovery of Ukraine through the restoration of education, medicine or humanitarian aid. I will be happy to present all these directions in Poland,” she said.

The wife of the President of Ukraine thanked Agata Kornhauser-Duda for her personal assistance in the treatment of Ukrainian children in medical institutions in Poland and other countries.

The first ladies discussed a new format of cooperation between the two countries in the field of medicine – the exchange of experience between Ukrainian and Polish doctors in the field of providing care to patients with severe burn injuries.

“Such cooperation is extremely urgent, because as a result of the military aggression against Ukraine, we have a large number of victims with explosive and burn injuries,” said Olena Zelenska.

Together with Agata Kornhauser-Duda, the First Lady of Ukraine visited the Children’s Health Protection Institute in Warsaw, where evacuated Ukrainian children are being treated. It is not only a clinic, but also a research center. More than 7,000 surgeries are conducted here every year. The institute also hosts about a thousand students who are doing internships here. In addition, 400 children’s doctors of various specialties have the opportunity to study and exchange experience at the institution. The hospital also has a simulation training center where special devices teach how to conduct surgeries. Currently, 11 children from Ukraine are being treated at the Institute, the youngest boy is only four years old, but he is fighting cancer like a real hero and patiently follows all the doctors’ instructions.

Olena Zelenska thanked the employees of the institution and Professor Piotr Czauderna, whose efforts facilitated the creation of the Unicorn Hub in Poland for the evacuation of children from the West Ukrainian Specialized Children’s Medical Center in Lviv.

“This is an incredible rescue story. Throughout my visit to Poland, I express gratitude. And here I continue to do it. Our countries have incredible relations. And here I see a practical embodiment not only in helping, but also in saving our children. The evacuation process will be included in textbooks. Thank you to everyone involved,” said the First Lady.

During her visit to Poland, Olena Zelenska also spoke at the annual Warsaw Security Forum (WSF).

Olena Zelenska thanked Poland for the principled and broad support for Ukraine.

“I would like to urge everyone present here not to be afraid to take the risk of standing on the right side – as Poland is doing. After all, as I already said, this is a war of values. It is impossible forWe can’t let Russia set a precedent so that aggression becomes the way of solving problems in the world. We can’t make the rockets falling on residential buildings an acceptable argument for everyone. We can’t let nuclear blackmail become our usual life,” she emphasized.

During the Warsaw Security Forum, the President’s wife received the Knight of Freedom Award awarded to the people of Ukraine. This award is presented by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation to outstanding figures who contributed to the popularization of General Pulaski’s values: freedom, justice and democracy. This year, the organizers awarded the Ukrainian people who are resisting Russian aggression.

“There is a well-known Polish motto: ‘For our freedom and yours.’ Thank you for being with us. We know that you will be with us until the end. Until our victory and yours,” said Olena Zelenska.

The First Lady also met with Ukrainian temporary migrants in Poland and representatives of the Ukrainian community in that country.

“I am glad that you are right here, in Poland, in the country that first opened its doors to us when the Russian attack took place. Because this is a truly fraternal country that shares with us the biggest ordeal during this war,” she emphasized.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held another meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Wednesday.

Those present heard information from the intelligence, the headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the commanders of the operational directions about the situation at the front and the latest actions of the enemy. They also discussed the issue of stabilizing the situation in the newly deoccupied areas. Plans regarding further liberation of Ukrainian territories were also considered.

Separately, the members of the Staff focused on the issue of countering new types of weapons used by the Russian army.

The parties also analyzed the urgent needs of the defense forces in material and technical support and the course of preparation of the troops for the winter period.

The meeting was attended by: Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhny, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov, Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrskyi, Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, heads of law enforcement agencies and security agencies, as well as Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, his deputy Roman Mashovets and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov.

Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, commander of the Khortytsia joint strategic group of troops Oleksandr Syrsky, Commander of the West Operational Command Forces Serhiy Litvinov, Commander of the South Operational Command Forces Andriy Kovalchuk and commander of the Kherson joint strategic group of forces Oleksandr Tarnavskyi joined the meeting via videoconference.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

Dear Mr. Fabius!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

I thank you for the opportunity to present our Ukrainian perspective on how law can guarantee peace. I will start with one example. An example, which demonstrates the need for a comprehensive legal response to aggression.

September 30 of this year. Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. Morning – 7:10 am. The Russian army fires 16 missiles at the territory of the region and the city of Zaporizhzhia. Of them, 4 missiles are shot down by our air defense forces. 9 missiles hit one of the plants, the enterprise was destroyed. And 3 more Russian missiles hit the checkpoint on the road – the place where dozens of people were. Ordinary people in ordinary cars.

A total of 122 people were wounded that morning. 30 people died. Including 2 children. The girl was 10 years old. And the boy, he was 14 years old.

And this is just one Russian missile strike. A deliberate attack on civilians. A deliberate crime. This is one of thousands of strikes that have occurred since 2014, when Russia began its aggression against Ukraine, and since February 24 of this year, when Russia turned this aggression into a full-scale war.

You all know what is happening in Ukraine. All of you have heard about Bucha and Mariupol, about burned cities and tortured people. And I think many of you have read or heard words that explain very clearly why all this is happening.

I will quote these words now: “To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole.” End of quote.

These are wise words. The words of people who saw full-scale war with their own eyes. They saw – and know that all war crimes begin with one original crime – the crime of aggression.

What is the missile strike at ordinary people in ordinary cars at a checkpoint somewhere in the middle of the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine? This is the crime committed by the specific Russian soldiers who launched the missiles. This is the crime of the specific commander who ordered the missile strike. And this is the crime of those who started the armed aggression against Ukraine, in the framework of which this and thousands of other similar strikes became possible. And also – in the framework of which the execution of civilians, the torture and execution of prisoners, the rape of women and children, airstrikes on ordinary residential buildings, the use of prohibited mines and ammunition became possible.

All the crimes of the Russian occupiers on Ukrainian soil can be investigated and the perpetrators can be brought to justice. All perpetrators!

But… We must bring to justice those whose decisions started all this. Those who committed the original crime. A crime in which all the evil shown by the Russian occupiers is concentrated. And we still do not have such an institutional basis to hold the Russian political and military leadership accountable for the crime of aggression.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Ukraine offers a real way to bring to justice the perpetrators of the original crime that spawned all other crimes committed since the beginning of Russian aggression.

For many years, the world has been looking for ways to prevent the recurrence of a full-scale war in Europe and to ensure the inevitability of punishment for war criminals, whoever they are, wherever they are and wherever they commit crimes against the basics of human life. Thanks to these searches and the efforts of many conscientious people, we now have, in particular, the International Criminal Court – one of the most important global legal institutions that ensures justice and protects humanity.

Ukraine fully supports the activities of this court. We accepted the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over all events on the territory of Ukraine. We introduced changes in the legislation of Ukraine to simplify and make our cooperation with this court more effective. We are in constant and quite practical communication with representatives of the International Criminal Court in order to achieve the common goal of bringing the Russian occupiers to justice for the crimes committed by them on the territory of Ukraine.

I am grateful to all states and specialists who contribute to this work – with their financial, technical, analytical, legal and expert support. I am grateful to France, in particular, whose contribution is already tangible. And I believe that the International Criminal Court will be able to create a historical precedent of an absolutely legal response to the crimes committed by the Russian occupiers, as large-scale as the Russian war against Ukraine.

But for the original crime of armed aggression to receive a fair answer as well, we must supplement the activities of the International Criminal Court.

A Special Tribunal should be established for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. So that it can punish those who, unfortunately, cannot be reached by the International Criminal Court and all other available judicial institutions of the world.

You all know how the leadership of Russia, hiding behind false stories about state sovereignty, avoids fair responsibility for what it has done. We have to overcome that.

The draft of the corresponding international agreement for the establishment of the Special Tribunal was recently presented in Kyiv to diplomats from our partner countries. However, we offer this agreement not only to our partners, but also to everyone in the world who values international law and order.

I will give you another quote: “The charges in the Indictment that the defendants planned and waged aggressive wars are charges of the utmost gravity. War is essentially an evil thing. Its consequences are not confined to the belligerent States alone, but affect the whole world.” End of quote.

When we conclude an agreement and establish a Special Tribunal for Russian aggression, the very fact of preparing indictments and issuing arrest warrants for those who planned and ordered the beginning of this aggression will be the most powerful signal to all other potential aggressors in the world that war is inevitably punished, and the guilty are held accountable; that the law is always valid and the law always prevails; and humanity is guaranteed to be protected.

That is why we say that law can guarantee peace and justice. It can! To all. But only if we create the necessary institution.

And I invite France, in particular, your Constitutional Council to actively participate in the negotiations on the establishment of the Special Tribunal.

And one more thing. Something without which post-war justice is simply impossible. This is the compensation for all losses and destruction.

Already now, in October, we offer everyone who values international law to support a fundamental resolution at the UN General Assembly. A resolution confirming Russia’s international legal obligation to pay reparations for this war and recognizing the need for a compensation mechanism through which such an obligation can be implemented. The aggressor must fully pay for the cruelty and destruction he unleashed.

And although it is not easy in the case of Russia, it is quite possible. The corresponding order of legal steps is clear. We can present it to all interested parties.

And I will now add one more quote: “Crimes against International Law are committed by men, not by abstract entities, and only by punishing individuals who commit such crimes can the provisions of International Law be enforced.” End of quote.

Probably, you have read or heard these and other words that I have just given – they are from the verdict of the Nuremberg trials. The trials established by an international treaty. The trials that punished the perpetrators of the previous full-scale war in Europe and proved that justice exists in the world.

All of us who have studied jurisprudence have seen and analyzed this fundamental document – the Nuremberg verdict. And I am sure that there will be times when students who study law in the same way will be able to compare the text of the Nuremberg verdict with the text of the verdict that will be passed by the Special Tribunal regarding the crime of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. But not only. They will also study the experience of Russia’s compensation for all the losses caused by this war.

So, colleagues! Friends!

I invite all of you to participate in the establishment of appropriate legal institutions. Anyone who joins in restoring justice now will join in guaranteeing long-term peace for all of us in Europe and the world.

No chance for the guilty! No chance for aggression! Let the law prevail.

Thank you for your attention!

Thank you, France, for your support.

Glory to Ukraine!

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 4 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had another meaningful and constructive phone call with President of the United States of America Joseph Biden.

The Ukrainian head of state thanked for the strong support of Ukraine consistently demonstrated by the U.S. government.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy separately noted the recent two packages – 1.1 billion dollars in security assistance and almost 12.4 billion dollars in aid to our state.

He highly appreciated the principled and unwavering position of the United States regarding the non-recognition of the sham referenda held by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

“They are null and void and do not change reality. The territorial integrity of Ukraine will be restored,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President of Ukraine also emphasized the need for a tough collective response of the entire civilized world to Russia’s attempt to annex the territory of Ukraine. In this context, the leaders discussed the coordination of efforts within the UN and other key international platforms.

The Ukrainian head of state informed about the course of operation to liberate Ukrainian territories and noted that the successes of the defense forces are caused by the bravery of Ukrainian warriors and the weapons provided by the United States.

The importance of the implementation of the grain initiative, which contributes to the maintenance of food security throughout the world, was separately noted, and the need for its further implementation was also emphasized.

The presidents positively noted the release of American citizens who were in Russian captivity.

The leaders commended the effective work of the existing bilateral formats of interaction, in particular that of diplomatic teams.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 4 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with leader of the Brothers of Italy political force Giorgia Meloni, who won the recent parliamentary elections by a landslide.

The main topics of the negotiations were: the gradual development of Ukrainian-Italian relations, assistance to Ukraine from Italy and the need for a tough reaction of the international community to the new criminal actions of the Russian aggressor against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state.

“Russia’s decisions regarding another attempted annexation of part of the territory of Ukraine are null and void and do not change reality. The repeat of the Crimean scenario cannot be allowed. The territorial integrity of Ukraine must and will be restored,” the President emphasized.

He thanked Giorgia Meloni for her steadfast support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, separately noting the importance of the consistent position of her political power in support of Ukraine from the very beginning of full-scale Russian aggression.

Response measures to Russia’s recent criminal actions at the multilateral level, including within the UN and other key international platforms, were discussed. In this context, the Ukrainian President also emphasized the need to introduce additional sanctions against Russia, in particular the strengthening of the eighth EU sanctions package and the ban on issuing tourist visas for citizens of the Russian Federation by the EU states.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the interlocutor about the decision to submit an official application for Ukraine’s membership in NATO and expectations regarding our country’s path to the Alliance under an accelerated procedure.

“Even before NATO membership, Ukraine should receive clear and legally binding guarantees of collective security,” the President stated.

In this context, he highly appreciated the willingness of the Italian side to join this process.

The need to continue comprehensive support for our country after the formation of the new Italian government was also emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited the head of the future government of Italy to visit Ukraine.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 4 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

During the conversation, the Head of State emphasized the importance of strengthening the Ukrainian-Indian partnership against the backdrop of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The holding of the so-called referenda by Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of our country was also discussed. The President noted that all the aggressor’s decisions aimed at attempting illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories are null and void and do not change reality.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that under such conditions, Ukraine will not conduct any negotiations with the current President of the Russian Federation, and noted that our state has always been committed to a peaceful settlement through dialogue.

“However, Russia did not stand for dialogue and put forward ultimata instead deliberately undermining this process. During my speech at the session of the UN General Assembly, I outlined our clear formula for peace. We are ready to work together with our partners to achieve it,” added the President of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Narendra Modi for India’s support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and also emphasized the importance of the Indian leader’s recent statement that now is not the time for war.

The Head of State noted the significant humanitarian aid provided by the government and the private sector of the Republic of India to Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Narendra Modi separately discussed the issue of global food security. The President of Ukraine emphasized that our state is ready to continue acting as a guarantor of the world’s food security. In this regard, the support of the entire international community, in particular India, for the further implementation of the grain initiative is important.

The interlocutors paid due attention to the issue of nuclear safety.

“Nuclear blackmail by Russia, in particular regarding the Zaporizhzhia NPP, is a threat not only to Ukraine, but also to the whole world,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Separately, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of India discussed cooperation within international organizations, primarily the UN.

During the conversation, the parties noted mutual interest in deepening regular full-scale Ukrainian-Indian contacts, as well as implementation of tasks on the agenda of bilateral relations of comprehensive partnership.

The Head of State renewed the invitation to the Prime Minister of the Republic of India to visit Ukraine.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 3 October 2022.

During his stay in Warsaw, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda.

Andriy Yermak noted that Ukraine highly appreciates everything that Poland has done and is doing so that our country can endure and win a full-scale war with Russia.

The Head of the President’s Office thanked Andrzej Duda for his steadfast support of our country and condemnation of the new attempt to annex the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine by Russia.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that the sham referenda held by the Russian Federation are worthless and do not change reality.

“Ukraine will return what’s ours. The territorial integrity of Ukraine will be restored,” he emphasized.

The interlocutors discussed further steps of the international community in response to Russia’s recent attempt to annex the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The Head of the President’s Office emphasized that such steps should involve complete international isolation of Russia, strengthening of global sanctions, designation of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism, further defense and macro-financial support for our country.

Andriy Yermak and Andrzej Duda also discussed the interaction of Ukraine and Poland within NATO, in particular in the context of Ukraine’s application for membership in the Alliance.

“We rely on Poland’s proactive support in the issue of Ukraine’s membership in NATO and the provision of international security guarantees to our state,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

In this regard, Andriy Yermak separately emphasized the recommendations prepared by the International Working Group on Security Guarantees for Ukraine concerning the Kyiv Security Compact, the implementation of which the Ukrainian side will work together with partners.

The interlocutors discussed the continuation of security aid to the Ukrainian army, as well as the urgent needs of the defense forces of Ukraine.

In addition, the Head of the President’s Office emphasized the importance of prompt provision of defense support and its strengthening.

Special attention was paid during the conversation to the issues of energy security and bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

The parties exchanged views on current issues of bilateral relations. Andriy Yermak positively assessed the progress achieved in increasing the capacity of checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border and noted the importance of introducing joint border and customs control at all checkpoints.

The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine also thanked Andrzej Duda for being awarded the high state award of the Republic of Poland – the Grand Cross of Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.

“It is a great honor for me to receive this high award. I consider it as an award for the entire Ukrainian people,” emphasized Andriy Yermak.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 3 October 2022.

During a visit to Turkey, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, pursuant to the instructions of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, presented the Gold Star Orders to five servicemen – defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, who were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.

The President awarded the highest state award to commander of the “Azov” separate special purpose regiment of the National Guard Denys Prokopenko (call sign Redis), his deputy Svyatoslav Palamar, acting commander of the 36th separate brigade of marines Serhiy Volynskyi (call sign – Volyna), senior officer of “Azov” Oleg Khomenko and commander of the 12th brigade of the National Guard Denys Shlega.

The awarding ceremony took place during the meeting of Andriy Yermak and First Lady Olena Zelenska with Azovstal defenders and members of their families in Türkiye.

“The units you led made an invaluable contribution to the future victory of Ukraine. You and your subordinates managed to bind the enormous forces of the enemy. Forces that were lacking for the occupation of larger territories,” said Andriy Yermak, presenting the order to Denys Prokopenko.

The Head of the Office of the President emphasized that the defenders of “Azovstal” saved many lives in those territories that the enemy did not reach.

“You won time, and this time was not wasted. And now we are returning our territories and our people. Ukraine will be free and united,” he said.

During the meeting, a video call by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy was held. The Head of State congratulated the servicemen and thanked them for performing an important combat mission on the defense of Mariupol.

“We are all proud of you. And I am extremely happy that your relatives are with you, I am happy that we have you. You are not just heroes, you are living heroes, and that is very important. I thank each and every one of you. And we will do everything to return your brothers-in-arms who are now in captivity. I am proud that we live in the same country, fight for it together and will definitely win. Glory to Ukraine!” said the Head of State.

“The battle for Mariupol and everything that happened to us, the release from captivity, is a Ukrainian miracle in spite of everything. Everyone perfectly understands what would have happened to us. There are people here who know what Russian torture and Russian captivity is. And this award is the award of our warriors. This is the award of our Ukrainian people. I am very proud to be Ukrainian. This is the coolest nation in the world! And the coolest government and the coolest military,” said Svyatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov National Guard regiment.

Olena Zelenska also congratulated the warriors on behalf of all Ukrainian citizens whom they protected and presented valuable gifts.

The President’s wife conveyed to the defenders and their families a blessing from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whom she met the day before in Istanbul.

“The main thing is that Ukraine fights and will fight for all our people. There are still many of them in Russian captivity – men and women, military and civilians. And we need each and every one. Alive,” said the First Lady.

The defenders of “Azovstal” asked to hand over to Volodymyr Zelenskyy the flag of Ukraine with the signatures and wishes of five commanders and the motto “There is no glory without a fight.”