Tag: President of Ukraine

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

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak together with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and President of Eurocities and Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella took part in the video conference mode in the official launch in Strasbourg of the Eurocities project to help Ukrainian cities with the supply of generators.

Andriy Yermak thanked Roberta Metsola for her unprecedented leadership and strong support for Ukraine from the European Parliament since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia.

“I would like to use this opportunity to commend today’s decision of the European Parliament on the well-deserved recognition of Russia as a terrorist regime,” he said.

The Head of the Office of the President reminded that in recent months the Russian Federation started terror against the critical infrastructure of Ukraine. He emphasized that depriving civilians of water supply and drainage could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that the project presented today is designed to help Ukrainians survive the most difficult winter in the modern history of the country.

“Generators are essential equipment that will provide people with basic needs: light, communication, access to reliable medical care in the event of a blackout caused by Russian strikes. We need them as a strategic reserve in the face of a complete and continuous blackout that may last for weeks,” he said.

At the same time, the Head of the President’s Office emphasized that the main priority for Ukraine today is the immediate restoration of the power grid. According to him, our country needs high-voltage equipment: autotransformers, automatic transfer switches, relays, arresters.

“The biggest war in Europe over the last half a century continues. However, Ukrainians are convinced: with the support of a united Europe, we will win, and Russia will be defeated,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.

For her part, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola noted that the EU and its institutions stand in solidarity with Ukraine on the humanitarian, military and financial fronts.

She added that the provision of generators should help ensure energy and water supply for the civilian population and hospitals in Ukraine.

Roberta Metsola called on all European cities and regions to join this project of helping Ukrainians.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 19 November 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the UK Rishi Sunak, who is visiting our country, honored the memory of Ukrainian defenders and visited the exhibition of destroyed Russian equipment.

The leaders laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance of those who died for Ukraine near St. Michael’s Cathedral and honored the memory of Ukrainian soldiers with a moment of silence.

The Prime Minister of the UK also brought a lamp to the memorial sign to the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-1933, located in Mykhailivska Square.

After that, Zelenskyy and Sunak visited the exhibition of the destroyed military equipment of the Russian occupiers, presented in Mikhailivska Square.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 19 November 2022.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held a meeting with a delegation of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament led by its Co-President Terry Reintke. The delegation also included members of the German Bundestag and the Parliament of Finland.

The main focus of the meeting was on joint efforts to counter Russian armed aggression against Ukraine.

Zhovkva briefed the members of the European Parliament in detail on the scale and consequences of Russia’s massive strikes on the entire territory of Ukraine, which have already become a tradition for the aggressor country.

“This behavior of Russia is a direct justification for the need for the European Parliament to adopt a resolution designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. And this decision should be made next week,” he said.

The deputy head of the President’s Office noted the efforts of the Greens/EFA Group in securing strong support of Ukraine from the European Parliament. The lobbying for a number of important initiatives in the parliament and among European countries by the MEPs of the group, aimed at conducting a proper investigation of Russian war crimes committed on the territory of Ukraine, creating a special tribunal to hold the leadership and citizens of Russia to account, as well as developing a mechanism for compensating by the Russian Federation for all damages caused to Ukraine due to the full-scale invasion, deserve special attention.

“We are waiting for the European Union to expand financial assistance for Ukraine, and we are counting on your support for the provision of macro-financial assistance of EUR 18 million for 2023,” Zhovkva said.

The parties coordinated further joint efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, as well as the participation of European countries in the rapid reconstruction and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 18 November 2022.

After Russia blocked the export of grain from the ports of the Black Sea region, the countries of the African continent began to gradually change their attitude towards the Russian Federation and direct the political vector to support Ukraine. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with the student community of Ireland.

“Today, gradually, country by country, the states of the African continent are beginning to understand what happened. That they were misinformed. That Russia is truly an aggressor, that it does not respect freedom, does not support life, but does the opposite. Several countries have appeared on the African continent that support us, and we can see this from the results of voting for resolutions,” said the Head of State.

He recalled the results of voting for the UN General Assembly resolution on supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine and condemning Russia’s aggression against our state.

“There was record support for Ukraine, condemnation of Russia’s aggression. More than 140 countries. African countries appeared among them. And that’s great,” stated Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Also, according to him, some African countries for the first time demonstrated support at the diplomatic stage of the Crimea Platform aimed at the de-occupation of Ukrainian Crimea.

According to the President, such a change in the attitude of a number of African countries took place after Russia began blocking the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through the Black Sea.

“African countries saw how Russia completely disgracefully blocked the Black Sea. It blocked the supply of grain – wheat, corn – from Ukraine to the African continent… And when countries began to see it, when the societies of some countries began to feel it, they began to open their eyes,” said the Head of State.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there are still some African countries that, at the level of leaders, see neither the destructive actions of Russia nor the help of Ukraine, which has initiated programs to support countries suffering from the food crisis.

“There are countries to which we sent ships with grain. We really help them. We really made a corridor in the Black Sea together with the UN. And now ships have departed with wheat, and some African states do not see this at the political level,” the President noted.

According to the Head of State, this is happening, in particular, due to the powerful influence of Russian propaganda and disinformation, which has been spreading on the African continent for the past 30 years. At the same time, there were no developed relations between Ukraine and African countries for many years.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that currently one of the key tasks for Ukraine and for him personally is the unification of the whole world, including African countries, in order to put pressure on Russia to stop its aggression on Ukrainian territory.

“Help in the UN is very important for us as well – it is political and diplomatic help. Assistance in voting and supporting relevant resolutions. And here we desperately need the support of the African Union and the countries of the African continent,” said the President.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 18 November 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis, who is on a visit to Kyiv.

The Head of State thanked the representative of the European Commission for the important EU’s steps on the financial support for Ukraine during a long period of time and especially during the full-scale invasion of Russia starting from February 24 this year.

“Ukraine’s ability to continue to withstand Russia’s aggression, the ability of our budget to withstand financial challenges, the energy crisis caused by the war is extremely important,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

He informed the Vice-President of the European Commission about the consequences of Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian objects, as well as about the measures our state is taking to quickly restore all life support systems for citizens.

The interlocutors focused on issues of urgent financial support for Ukraine until the end of the current year and coordination of plans for 2023. Special attention was paid to the macro-financial assistance from the European Union, additional tools for attracting resources and the coordinating role of Brussels in the financial support for Ukraine, in particular from the IMF.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the European Commission for presenting a new large-scale financial assistance program for 2023 in the amount of 18 billion euros and expressed the expectation that Ukraine will be able to receive the first tranche as early as January.

For his part, Valdis Dombrovskis noted that the EU will continue to support Ukraine, put pressure on the aggressor – the Russian Federation – and do everything to help our country win this war.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the Fast Recovery Plan for housing and social infrastructure facilities and the involvement of the European Commission in the launch of the Ukraine Reconstruction Fund, in particular by working out the mechanism for using Russian assets frozen in the EU.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Valdis Dombrovskis paid special attention to the effectiveness of the European Union’s sanctions policy, in particular in the energy, mining and banking spheres, as well as the blocking of Russian propaganda media.

The President of Ukraine emphasized the importance of designating Russia as a terrorist state by the European Union.

Separately, Volodymyr Zelenskyy focused on the results achieved on the way of implementing EU recommendations and integrating our economy into the internal market of the European Union. He thanked for the decision to liberalize trade between Ukraine and the EU until June 2023 and expressed hope for the transformation of the temporary trade liberalization into a full and permanent one.

In addition, the importance of continuing the liberalization of road transportation, the implementation of a pilot project on integration into the EU internal market in the field of roaming and the conclusion of an agreement on “industrial visa-free regime” was noted.

The Head of State also informed about the launch of the “Grain from Ukraine” humanitarian program in Odesa and expressed hope for the participation of the leadership of the European Commission in this event.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 17 November 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a meeting of the working group on providing aid to the countries suffering from an acute food crisis. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Office of the President, ministries and departments, ambassadors of Ukraine, foreign diplomats accredited in our country and representatives of international organizations.

Andriy Yermak noted that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the launch of the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program while participating in the G20 summit.

This initiative is aimed at alleviating the suffering of peoples and overcoming the food crisis caused by Russian armed aggression against Ukraine.

First of all, we are talking about the countries of the African continent and Asia.

The Head of the President’s Office emphasized that the issue of overcoming the food crisis is among the points of the Ukrainian plan, which the Head of State presented at the summit.

“There is one point there about food security and the right of every person not to die of hunger because someone in the Kremlin decided to take away other people’s territories,” he stated.

“Today, all these countries are on the brink of a new famine precisely because Russia started this war of aggression against Ukraine,” emphasized Andriy Yermak.

According to him, the Grain from Ukraine initiative is also important in the context of confirming the status of our country as a guarantor of global food security.

“It is very important that the international community knows exactly who is saving the world from hunger today. It is very important that not only Ukraine, but also partners know this,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

He added that Ukraine is ready to implement this program together with partners whose extensive experience will enable it to be done in a timely and efficient manner.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Andriy Sybiha noted that several states have already decided to participate in the initiative and are ready to become its donors. In particular, Belgium, Germany and Poland have confirmed the financing of dispatch of ships with grain, which are headed for or have already arrived in the countries in need of food.

The representative of the President’s Office also noted that preliminary confirmations were provided by Japan, Türkiye and the United States.

Andriy Sybiha called on all participants of the meeting to consider the issue of participation in the initiative of Ukraine.

Ambassador of Germany Anka Feldhusen noted that her country is willing to continue financing the dispatch of grain ships to countries that need it.

Ambassador of Türkiye Yağmur Ahmet Güldere said that his country welcomes and supports the Grain from Ukraine initiative and is currently considering how exactly it can help in its implementation. He also assured: Türkiye will continue its efforts to ensure further work of the “grain corridor”.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ukraine Fan Xianrong noted that the PRC welcomes the steps aimed to guarantee global food security and appreciates the efforts that help alleviate the crisis situation, in particular, the extension of the grain agreement.

Representatives of the US Embassy in Ukraine also expressed their support for the Ukrainian initiative and declared willingness to work with our country and partners to make it successful.

Andriy Yermak thanked the partners for what their countries are doing for Ukraine and our citizens, and expressed hope that we will celebrate the great Ukrainian victory together.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra who is on a visit to Kyiv.

The Head of State highly appreciated the consistent support for Ukraine from the government of the Netherlands and the personal efforts of Prime Minister Mark Rutte to counter Russian aggression.

“We thank the Netherlands for understanding the conditions in which our people live today and what Ukrainians are fighting for,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He thanked for the recent decisions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to provide additional security assistance to Ukraine, as well as a separate support package for preparing for the winter period.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of the liberation of Kherson for the further de-occupation of all territories of Ukraine illegally seized by Russia.

The interlocutors discussed additional specific measures of support from the Netherlands to strengthen the defense capabilities of our country and successfully counter the aggressor.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the Russian Federation continues missile terror against the population of Ukraine and the destruction of energy infrastructure. He noted the importance of creating an air shield over our country to protect against Russian missile attacks. It was stated that in the conditions of approaching winter, Ukraine is counting on prompt receipt of assistance from partners for the restoration of damaged infrastructure and stable electricity supply.

During the meeting, there was also an exchange of views regarding the involvement of the Netherlands in the reconstruction of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine. The Head of State thanked for the initiatives of the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands aimed at attracting companies from this country to the reconstruction process. He emphasized the great need to restore infrastructure in the liberated territories of the Kherson region and expressed hope that the Netherlands will be able to take the lead in rebuilding this promising region.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that despite the continuation of armed aggression, Ukraine is ready to make a concrete contribution to global food security. Hope was expressed that the Netherlands would support a new Ukrainian initiative to supply grain to African countries suffering from hunger.

“Helping those suffering from hunger today is an effective response to Russia’s attempts to repeat the genocide in the XXI century. And also a reminder to humanity of the lessons of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine,” the President emphasized.

The interlocutors discussed topical issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, as well as support from the Netherlands in promoting our country’s initiatives within the UN, in particular, regarding holding Russia accountable for crimes committed.

The President of Ukraine presented the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of the III degree, which was awarded to him for significant personal merits in strengthening interstate cooperation and supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

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

As part of a working trip to the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on stabilization measures in the de-occupied territory of the Kherson region.

The Head of State listened to the report of the commander of the Kherson operational-strategic group of troops, Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi about the situation in the region.

Head of the Kherson regional military administration Yaroslav Yanushevych informed the President about the state of the city’s critical infrastructure and life support systems.

70-80 thousand people currently live in Kherson. The city has a difficult situation with electricity supply and communication.

“Everything will return. Yes, unfortunately, the occupiers, who destroy everything on their path, destroyed the entire power supply network. But our services are working, and everything will return,” the President emphasized.

As Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, points of assistance to residents will gradually appear in the city, as was the case in the Kharkiv region.

For his part, Yaroslav Yanushevych noted that, on the instructions of the Head of State, measures are being taken to restore the destroyed power transmission lines going to the Kherson region.

“We are working on this issue round the clock together with Ukrenergo. Our electricians are moving right behind the explosives technicians. And we hope that the electricity supply will be restored in the near future,” he said.

The participants of the meeting discussed the provision of assistance by neighboring regions, in particular Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, in the establishment of logistics and the return of normal life to the liberated territories of the Kherson region.

In Mykolaiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also visited the humanitarian headquarters that operates under the RMA and has been providing assistance to people in need since the first days of full-scale Russian aggression.

Thus, over 4 million tons of humanitarian aid was distributed among the communities of the region in 9 months. The population is regularly supplied with food and non-food kits, warm clothes, medicines and building materials for repairing houses damaged by shelling.

The humanitarian headquarters has already sent aid to Kherson, which was recently liberated from the Russian occupiers. This includes, in particular, more than 25 tons of food kits, 26 pallets of food products, and 3 tons of hygiene products. Also, an ambulance, more than 6 tons of medicines, including insulin and other critical medicines, as well as medical supplies that were purchased for the Kherson region and stored in Mykolaiv until de-occupation were transferred from the Mykolaiv region to Kherson.

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 11 November 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a video message on the implementation of the EU Solidarity Lanes Initiative.

This initiative was launched on May 12, 2022. Its purpose is to promote the establishment and improvement of alternative routes for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products given the blockade of the Black Sea ports, as well as to ensure the possibility of importing necessary goods to Ukraine.

The initiative envisages the implementation of a set of measures to eliminate transport delays at the borders of Ukraine with the states of the European Union, improving road, rail and river connections between our country and the EU in the future.

Today, the European Commission together with the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced the allocation of additional 850 million euros in the framework of the initiative, and the World Bank – 100 million euros to support Ukrainian exports, in particular through the implementation of targeted joint projects.

In his address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the entire united Europe for the constant support that Ukraine has been receiving since the first hours of the Russian invasion.

“Please, know that your defense assistance, as well as financial, political and humanitarian support, saved millions of lives. This is the solidarity that clearly demonstrates the strength of the European values. When Europe is truly united, not a single tyranny can take the freedom of the Europeans away,” the President emphasized.

The Head of State noted that by starting the full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia blocked Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and a bigger part of Ukrainian export and import stopped.

“But we were able to open a new way of economic life through the territory of the European Union. Along this road of life, we established a supply that is critically important not only for Ukraine but also for the whole Europe and many other countries – partners of Europe,” he said.

“On the eve of the half-year anniversary of the Solidarity Lanes Initiative, I confirm our readiness to continue working together with you in order to further strengthen our Europe. Strengthen economically and socially. To strengthen our states, our companies, our people,” the President of Ukraine added.

The video address of the Head of State together with the speeches of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the leaders of neighboring countries was broadcast by Europe by Satellite, the main television resource of the institutions of the European Union, and other EU information channels.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 9 November 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference meeting with representatives of Ukrainian and international human rights organizations devoted to the issue of ensuring the rights of Ukrainian military and civilian prisoners held by the Russian Federation.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that Russia’s forced detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in inhumane conditions is the most acute human rights issue in Europe since World War II.

“In the XXI century, we lived to the point where there are concentration camps in the center of Europe. I mean not only Olenivka, but also other terrible places,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

He noted that the International Committee of the Red Cross did not agree to delegate its representatives to the mission, which was supposed to go to the delimitation line and demand from Russia access to places of detention of Ukrainian prisoners.

At the suggestion of Andriy Yermak, the meeting participants decided to create an information human rights headquarters, which will regularly publish data on human rights violations during Russian aggression that are important for the global human rights community and the media.

The Head of the Office of the President called on Ukrainian and international human rights organizations to join the work of the headquarters.

It will work continuously and will become a platform for information support of Ukrainian prisoners held by the Russian aggressor.

“We have to put pressure on the Russian Federation from all sides, keep this issue in focus at all international platforms and do everything that depends on us to get information and work on the emergence of an international mission,” emphasized Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the Office of the President also proposed to create an interactive exhibition dedicated to the issue of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. According to Andriy Yermak, Ukrainians released from captivity and relatives of prisoners will be able to participate in the exhibition.

“When people see what is happening today, in the XXI century, in the center of Europe, it is better than any political tools,” he said.

Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets expressed his belief that the International Committee of the Red Cross has demonstrated its inefficiency and even unwillingness to monitor Russia’s compliance with the norms of humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.

“As human rights defenders, we must look for new platforms, new mechanisms to cope with this challenge. Therefore, I invite everyone to join this initiative and involve colleagues from all over the world,” said Dmytro Lubinets.

The commissioner also reported that the international community of ombudsmen supports the creation of new missions and platforms where the issues of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, as well as deported children, whom Russia continues to take from the temporarily occupied territories, will be raised.

As noted by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova, joining the efforts of state and non-governmental human rights organizations will make it possible to develop new approaches to protecting the rights of Ukrainian prisoners.

“Only when we join forces can we have a result,” she said.

Head of the board of the Crimean human rights group Olga Skrypnyk also called for attention to the protection of the rights of Ukrainian activists and Crimean Tatars who are subjected to constant repression by the Russian occupiers in Crimea. She supported the initiative to constantly inform the international community about the issues of Ukrainian prisoners held by the aggressor.