Tag: President of Ukraine

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

The world’s effective response to Russian aggression is the most realistic possible safeguard against other wars in the future. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a speech at the session of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council Summit.

The Head of State stressed that Russia had launched a full-scale war against Ukraine, hoping that the democratic world would not dare to react in a consolidated way for peace. But the Russian leadership was wrong.

“Ukraine’s courage, the willingness of our friends and partners to help, the principled reaction of the nations of Western countries, as well as the willingness of many companies to care for their own reputation have led to Russia gradually becoming an increasingly isolated state. And business is increasingly isolated,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that after the victory of Ukraine, in which he has no doubts, the world must forever abandon the preservation of relations – both political and business – at any cost with those who do not respect international law and do not recognize treaties, which they sign.

“Russia is gradually approaching the understanding that it is profitable to respect international law. That to fulfill contracts is correct. Therefore, the effective reaction of the world to Russian aggression is the most realistic of the possible safeguards against other wars in the future,” said the President of Ukraine.

According to the Head of State, several important steps need to be taken to restore the rule of law in the world.

“The first is the complete isolation of the aggressor, first of all economic. The second is sufficient help for Ukraine to endure this war, the struggle for freedom and our rights. The third is the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the war. When these three things happen, both Russia and every other potential aggressor will see that war does not help achieve anything,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He is convinced that working with a terrorist state inevitably results in tens of thousands of casualties, hundreds of billions of dollars in losses and destabilization of markets. Therefore, it is necessary to leave the Russian market.

The President stressed that only the food crisis alone provoked by Russia threatens political chaos in dozens of countries.

Ukraine has suffered about $ 600 billion of losses in damage and destruction since the full-scale Russian invasion. Today, the state budget needs support of up to $ 7 billion a month, the President said.

“So we need direct help both to the government and to the citizens. For example, through the instrument of military bonds. Or through an account in our National Bank, through which we make payments to our citizens. By helping us, you are helping yourself in the future. Because this help is for the sake of stability and freedom. Hence, for the sake of growth,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

At the same time, according to him, Ukraine’s victory will not be convincing if we do not rebuild what has been destroyed.

“The biggest contribution you can make to our reconstruction is the opening of your representative offices, divisions and your productions, companies, offices and branches in Ukraine. Exactly in Ukraine, it is important. In our country, you will have access not only to our market of 40 million people, but also to the entire EU market,” the President said, recalling the EU’s decision to abolish duties, quotas and anti-dumping tariffs on Ukrainian exports.

“We have already shown the greatest example of heroism in defending our common freedom and common values. And immediately after our victory, we will demonstrate the same example of creating the best conditions for doing business in Europe, so that you are comfortable with investing in our country,” said the President.

According to him, all this should become part of the new economic order in Europe and a new impetus for global economic growth.

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

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference with National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jacob Sullivan, National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Stephen Lovegrove, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the German Chancellor Jens Plötner, Adviser to the President of the French Republic on relations with Ukraine and Russia Isabelle Dumont, other representatives of the French side.

Andriy Yermak informed his interlocutors about the course of events on the frontline noting that the most difficult situation remains in the south-east of Ukraine, where Russia has concentrated significant forces.

He also spoke about the evacuation mission from the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol in the Donetsk region. According to the Head of the President’s Office, on Tuesday 156 Ukrainian citizens who took refuge from the Russian bombing in the basement of the Azovstal plant finally reached Zaporizhzhia and are now safe.

At the same time, according to Andriy Yermak, Russian troops continue to shell Azovstal, which still shelters civilians and wounded soldiers in need of emergency medical care. The humanitarian situation in Mariupol remains catastrophic.

The Head of the President’s Office stressed the need to make every effort to unblock the people at the plant.

As part of the ongoing dialogue, the parties continued to discuss future security guarantees for Ukraine. Our state, which has faced Russian aggression, is interested in obtaining clear and concrete guarantees.

The parties also discussed preparations for the next sanctions package against Russia. The action plan to strengthen sanctions developed by the Yermak-McFaul international expert group was handed over to Ukraine’s partners.

The interlocutors agreed that sanctions pressure on Russia should increase until it ends the aggressive war and seeks peace.

 

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda.

The President of Ukraine congratulated the leader of Poland and all the fraternal Polish people on the 231st anniversary of the Constitution of May 3, which is celebrated today.

“Democratic values and traditions, the pursuit of justice unite our states and people. Today we feel the strong leadership support of Poland in the selfless struggle of the Ukrainian people for the protection of European values. We appreciate it!” the President of Ukraine emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the President of Poland about the course of the resistance to the aggressor on the frontline, about the tragic situation in Mariupol.

The interlocutors discussed further defense assistance to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Head of State especially noted Poland’s significant contribution in this direction.

The leaders paid special attention to further sanctions pressure on Russia, which should be intensified and expanded.

“Russia has already started an energy war against Poland and the whole of Europe. EU states must get rid of energy dependence on Russia,” the President of Ukraine stressed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed his Polish counterpart about the beginning of the work on the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. In this regard, he thanked Poland for the initiative to hold a high-level International Donors’ Conference for Ukraine together with the Government of Sweden and the leadership of the European Commission, which will be attended by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

The President of Ukraine noted the key role of Poland in supporting Ukraine’s movement towards EU membership and expressed confidence in the prompt adoption of all necessary decisions by Brussels.

During the conversation, the leaders touched upon the issue of comprehensive assistance provided by the government and the people of the Republic of Poland to millions of Ukrainians who have found temporary shelter from aggression in the neighboring country. Volodymyr Zelenskyy especially thanked Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata for their personal support.

The President of Ukraine also invited the President of Poland to address the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

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

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference with American businessman, member of the Board of Directors of Tesla and SpaceX Kimbal Musk. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.

On behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and all Ukrainians, Andriy Yermak thanked Kimbal Musk and his brother, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, for supporting our country during the difficult times of the war.

“We highly appreciate this real support for Ukraine during this terrible war with Russia. We are grateful for the high-speed Internet thanks to Starlink (terminals – ed.), which we received from you. Very grateful! Everyone knows what a great role you have played in this assistance,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

Kimbal Musk stressed that it is a great honor for him to help our country, because today Ukraine is fighting for democracy against tyranny.

“We are with you. Thank you for fighting so bravely,” he said.

Andriy Yermak informed the American businessman about the situation in Ukraine. He said that currently the largest number of troops is concentrated in the southern and eastern regions of our country.

The Head of the President’s Office also reminded of the catastrophic situation in Mariupol, which is blocked by the Russian military, and told about the process of evacuation of the city’s residents.

He also noted the importance of assistance provided to Ukraine by partner countries during the war.

Andriy Yermak invited Kimbal Musk to visit Ukraine at a time convenient for him. The Head of the President’s Office noted that the American businessman may be interested in projects developed by talented Ukrainian IT specialists.

“I’m sure you will really like the capital of Ukraine, and we will be able to talk in detail about possible joint projects,” said Andriy Yermak.

During the meeting, projects and areas of cooperation that could involve Kimbal Musk’s company and American business in general were discussed.

The Head of the Office of the President informed the interlocutor about the project of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular about the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to involve partner countries in the reconstruction of settlements affected by the war.

Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov thanked Kimbal Musk and SpaceX for providing Ukraine with Starlink terminals.

“I know that you help us a lot in this direction, support us and work with companies for them to be in Ukraine. Thank you for that. It is important for us that you and your family support Ukraine,” Mykhailo Fedorov said.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 2 May 2022.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held a working meeting with representatives of the European Union member states who have resumed their diplomatic presence in Kyiv. Among them are the Ambassadors of Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Slovakia, as well as Chargé d’Affaires of Estonia, Poland, Slovenia, France and the Czech Republic in Ukraine.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked the heads of diplomatic missions of the European Union who returned to Kyiv to fulfill their duties: “This demonstrates your firm solidarity with the people of Ukraine who oppose Russian aggression.”

He commended the continued political support and significant practical assistance provided by the governments of these countries since the first day of the large-scale Russian invasion. In this regard, the Deputy Head of the Office of the President stressed the importance of the visits of European leaders to Ukraine and expressed hope that the number of such visits will continue to grow.

Ihor Zhovkva also thanked the EU countries for the important humanitarian aid and support for Ukrainian citizens who were forced to leave their homeland due to Russian aggression and found refuge thanks to our European partners.

The Deputy Head of the Office of the President stressed the need to increase EU sanctions on Russia in order to encourage it to immediately cease hostilities and liberate the temporarily occupied territories.

“The sixth package of sanctions must be implemented as soon as possible. It must contain an embargo on Russian oil, disconnect all Russian banks from SWIFT and stop the broadcast of Russian TV channels in the EU,” said Ihor Zhovkva.

The parties focused on steps aimed at Ukraine’s accession to the EU as soon as possible.

“Granting Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership as soon as possible should be a symbolic step of support from the leaders of the EU member states. Today, Ukraine is defending not only itself but the whole of Europe, and hence proved its belonging to the European Union. Ukraine and Ukrainians deserve this decision,” said the Deputy Head of the Office of the President.

He also noted that due to Russian aggression and the systematic destruction of critical and social infrastructure, there is an urgent need to launch the Trust Fund for Solidarity with Ukraine as soon as possible.

Ihor Zhovkva also informed about the initiative of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to involve partner countries in the reconstruction of certain cities and regions affected by the war, and called on representatives of EU member states to actively decide on such assistance.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 2 May 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark Jeppe Kofod.

The Head of State noted that Ukraine highly appreciates the support of Denmark, and reminded that he had a fruitful meeting with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Kyiv recently.

“It is important that the cooperation between our countries is really dynamic and fruitful,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed and praised the resumption of the work of the Danish Embassy in Kyiv.

The President stressed that Ukraine now needs maximum defense assistance.

“I know that Denmark has already done a lot in this matter and continues to do so,” he said.

The Head of State stressed the importance of coordinated counteraction to the aggressor on the sanctions track. According to him, Ukraine appreciates Denmark’s active position on EU restrictive measures against Russia and looks forward to Copenhagen’s continued active role in sanctions pressure.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed his belief in Denmark’s support for Ukraine’s path to EU membership.

The parties paid considerable attention to the issue of financial assistance to the economy of our country. The President praised the readiness of the Danish side to play a leading role in the reconstruction of Mykolaiv together with other international partners.

The President noted the assistance of the Danish government in clearing and rebuilding the liberated Ukrainian cities by transferring the relevant construction equipment. The given step is one of the results of an agreement reached during recent talks with the Prime Minister of Denmark.

The parties also discussed further joint work on bringing the aggressor to justice for crimes committed in our country.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 2 May 2022.

For Ukraine, progress in the negotiations would be Russia’s decision to end the war and deoccupy Ukrainian territory. This was stated by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak in an interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN.

Commenting on the negotiation process with Russia, Andriy Yermak noted that the position of our state is transparent and clear: “Ukraine did not start this war. Ukraine did not occupy someone’s territory. Ukraine has never been an aggressive country, in particular it has not shown aggression towards Russia. The most important thing for us is our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are fighting for this. For our lands and freedom.”

According to the Head of the Office of the President, the progress in the negotiations would be a decision to stop the war and withdraw Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine.

He confirmed that the majority of Russian troops is now concentrated in southeastern Ukraine, especially in Donbas. The whole world also knows what is happening in Mariupol, where there is a catastrophic situation – 90% of the city is destroyed.

“For us, the fundamental things we are not ready to compromise on are our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We want to stop the war, our people want the war to end, but it is important for us that Ukraine wins this war. Our people continue to fight for victory. Our victory is the return of control over all our territories,” Andriy Yermak stressed.

He also noted that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his entire team have remained in Kyiv since the beginning of the war.

“Our servicemen continue to fight, they have no break. Therefore, it is our duty – all people in power, politicians – to stay at work and continue to do everything possible to bring victory closer,” said the Head of the Office of the President.

Regarding the US decision to provide $ 33 billion of aid to Ukraine and its influence on the course of the war, Andriy Yermak noted: “First, we hear clear messages that the United States believes and is confident in Ukraine’s victory in this war. Secondly, it really changes the level of our cooperation. This was the goal and dream of President Zelenskyy and his entire team – such a level of human relations with the United States. And today we can say: yes, it happened. And we are very grateful.”

He noted that opinion polls in the United States show that most Americans are interested and worried about the events in Ukraine.

“This support is important to us,” added the Head of the President’s Office.

“After February 24, the whole world, the whole democratic world understood that this could happen anywhere. Ukraine is defending not only itself, but also the principles of democracy,” Andriy Yermak stressed.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 2 May 2022.

The current international security system has expired, so Ukraine is suggesting a new collective agreement on security guarantees as a foundation of the format of a collective response to the global security challenges. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak wrote this in his op-ed for TIME.

He reminded that the system of international relations has been based on the Peace of Westphalia 1648 and its core principles: national sovereignty, foreign and domestic policies separation, compromise as a means of reconciling conflicting national interests, equality of sovereign states, as well as pragmatizing the relationship between them by putting religion out of question.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine is a rejection of all Westphalian principles. We are denied the right to sovereignty. We are under pressure to change our domestic policy. Under the guise of compromise, we are offered surrender. We are denied subjectivity and therefore equality. Our civilians are being tortured and killed en masse for simply being Ukrainian citizens,” Andriy Yermak noted.

According to him, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a natural consequence of the continuous series of conflicts in which Russia took part after the collapse of the USSR.

“Moscow has consciously chosen the path of international relations archaization. It has chosen to consistently deny the primacy of international over national law, systematic violations of agreements, and withdrawal from any rules contradicting its aggressive ambitions. It has chosen to disrupt the international bodies. These are all signs of the drive to replace the rule of law with the right of force,” the Head of the Office of the President emphasized.

According to Andriy Yermak, the true goals of Russia move even further into the past to the pre-bloc era of the Vienna Congress.

“However, it is obvious that the current Russian regime is not a restorer. It does not need to recreate either the Romanov Empire or the USSR. It is an attempt to replay history turning moments and cancel or offset unsatisfactory results, including the Caribbean crisis, the dismantling of the Soviet bloc, and subsequent NATO enlargement,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.

The Head of the President’s Office believes that the refusal to let Ukraine and Georgia into NATO was a de facto consent to Russia’s aggression against both countries. The era of hybridity in modern international relations started.

As a result, according to him, international organizations have shown a complete inability to stop the aggressor. The EU consensus decisions aimed at deterring and punishing Russia are systematically weakened by national governments. The UN Security Council is in need of reform — a country resorting to annexation, aggressive wars, and genocide should definitely not be its permanent member. NATO still allows Russia to intervene in the enlargement issue, both directly and through cautious politicians.

The Head of the Office of the President stressed that given the situation in the world, the Russian leadership was confident in its right to destroy Ukraine. But the Ukrainian people’s fierce resistance spoiled the game.

“Our longing for freedom has proven to be stronger than pragmatic calculations. It caused astonishment and respect. Only after the tragedies of Mariupol, Bucha, Hostomel, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and dozens of other settlements did the international community start to understand what we are dealing with. Each passing day brings horrible footage of the inhumane crimes of the Russian army. But these tragedies could have been avoided if there were leaders who could defend the world order,” Andriy Yermak noted.

According to him, the time has come for the leaders who act decisively, making the dreams possible and realizing possibilities. Such people have been in business for a long time. Until recently, such people were very scarce in politics. One of such leaders is President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who during the greatest trials for our country became the leader of the Ukrainian philosophy of freedom in the whole world.

“So, today Ukraine is not just a country near Russia. Not a weak and corrupt state, whose leaders used to buy handshakes and minute meetings on the sidelines. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is different. He is sincere. He is brave. He is popular. It’s a politician of a new formation. And Ukraine is a state of a new formation. Ukrainians are a model of courage for the whole democratic world,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.

According to him, there have been too many martyr heroes in our history. So now is the time for the winning heroes. Heroes who will live long and happily in their free state.

The time of Ukraine’s loneliness in the international arena is over. Ukraine is very grateful to all of you who came to our aid, as stated by the Head of the President’s Office.

“Lend-lease will help Ukraine survive. Restore the state’s integrity. Bring back our people. Punish the aggressor decisively and severely. This will be our victory. But there is an issue that needs to be addressed now. We need to understand how the world will live afterwards,” Andriy Yermak said.

According to him, it is necessary to make sure that no one even thinks about starting wars of aggression again. Ukraine needs reliable, comprehensive, and binding security guarantees. Without them, any agreement with Russia will only be a truce, temporary, and fragile.

The Head of the President’s Office noted that Russia is losing strength. The atrocities the Russian soldiers commit are a sign of weakness, a sign of degradation and Russia’s inevitable collapse. So now is the right time for such reforms. Time to reform international institutions. To create an effective security format in the event that NATO does not dare to show determination.

“We propose a new collective agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine—as a basis for a collective response to global security challenges,” Andriy Yermak wrote.

He added that it is obvious that neutrality cannot be the key issue in this agreement despite systematic efforts to promote this thesis.

“This agreement should ensure the status of Ukraine as a democratic, sovereign and integral state—without putting the issues of Donbas and Crimea out of question. The conditions for securing such a status are a matter for discussion, but it is clear that there is room for both the West and the East among the guarantors. For the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. For the UN Security Council members, Poland, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Israel… The club is open. Ukraine is one of the leading guarantors of world food security, so securing it is not only a moral issue, but also a purely practical one. Moreover, Ukraine is the shield protecting Europe from invasion,” the Head of the President’s Office emphasized.

In the future, the Ukrainian security platform should become the basis for the U-24, United for Peace multilateral format. A kind of rescue service responsible states would provide for the countries in need.

According to Andriy Yermak, this service will be able within 24 hours to provide aid – humanitarian, financial, material and military-technical – to a state that suffered aggression. And will punish the aggressor within 24 hours by imposing effective sanctions.

“Ukraine has been paying a very high price for its leading position in this system. The Moscow-centric world’s inevitable collapse is a chance for new leadership. Democratic. Humane. Human-centered. The leadership of a state whose people value liberty above all,” Andriy Yermak summed up.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 1 May 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress Nancy Pelosi, who is on a visit to Ukraine.

The President thanked the Speaker for her visit.

“I am grateful to you for this signal of strong support from the United States, the people and the Congress — bicameral and bipartisan support. I, as the President, our team and the people of Ukraine highly appreciate this signal. This shows that the United States today is a leader in strong support for Ukraine during the war against the aggression of the Russian Federation,” he said.

The President thanked the United States and Nancy Pelosi personally for the efforts to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

“The signals that the United States and President Biden are giving today are very important. These are recent strong steps in defense and financial support for Ukraine, as well as decisions on Lend-Lease – we are grateful for that,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He stressed the importance of the address by President of the United States of America Joseph Biden to the Congress to provide Ukraine with financial assistance in the amount of USD 33 billion.

For her part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives conveyed greetings from the Congress and the people of the United States to the President of Ukraine. Nancy Pelosi noted that today Ukraine is heroically fighting for freedom, and the United States is ready to help our country until this struggle is over. According to her, Ukraine is the frontier of freedom.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the Order of Princess Olga to Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi for her significant personal contribution to strengthening Ukrainian-American interstate cooperation and supporting sovereign, independent and democratic Ukraine.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 30 April 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Advisor to the President of Turkey, Ambassador İbrahim Kalın.

Andriy Yermak informed his Turkish counterpart about the situation on the frontline and the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the aggressor. Separately, the Head of the Office of the President informed of the extremely difficult situation in the city of Mariupol in the Donetsk region.

The interlocutors discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation.

Particular attention was paid to building a system of effective international security guarantees for our country. Ukraine is interested in Turkey being one of its parties.