Tag: President of Ukraine

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

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that the whole world, in particular the countries of the African continent, cannot take a neutral position regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine, as Russian aggression will have consequences for them as well. The Head of State said this during an online meeting with African journalists, including media representatives from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana.

“I don’t think there should be neutrality in war. This is the wrong attitude. There can be no neutrality between life and death. When you are neutral in the war, you immediately turn from even a large state into a small one. No one sees you, the world does not see you, and therefore you do not influence the processes in the world. And when you have problems, you have to remember that the world can also be neutral. And it’s not about business – it’s about people’s lives. I believe that the position of neutrality is not modern,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

According to the President, the world should know the truth about the fact that a colonial war started by Russia is currently ongoing on Ukrainian territory. He noted that racism and Nazism once asserted the alleged superiority of one race or nation over others, and now a new term has appeared – “rashism”, which describes the so-called “Russian world”, in which Russia does not recognize the right to existence of the multi-million Ukrainian people, its language and culture.

According to the Head of State, if one or another country does not have enough economic or political weight to influence the Russian Federation and force it to stop the war, then at least at the level of diplomacy, it is necessary to condemn death, autocracy, racism, Nazism and “rashism”, to condemn aggression.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that the world should have paid more attention to what is happening in some countries of the African continent, which have also experienced wars and tragedies.

“There is no war, which is far away. This is the injustice of the security structure of the whole world, which needs to be changed. International institutions need to be changed to make them work. Today, when we talk about security guarantees for Ukraine, we act as a living yet tragic example that can later be extended to other continents and other states,” he said.

The President also noted that Ukraine does not divide African countries into those that profess neutrality in relation to Russian aggression and those that support our state. Our state is ready to provide grain to all African countries that need it, because hunger cannot be treated neutrally.

“It’s about people dying. I know what we should do to help the countries of the African continent, just as African countries should unite and support Ukraine, because the truth is on our side,” he said.

The Head of State emphasized that Ukraine will fight to the end, and when this war will end depends on the unification of the world around our country and against Russian aggression.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Urmas Reinsalu, who is on his first foreign visit to our country.

The Head of State thanked the Minister for this signal of solidarity with Ukraine. At the same time, he noted that there is no need to prove support from Estonia, as Ukrainians know about it and appreciate it.

“We are grateful for the support of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Real support, not words. Support with real steps,” said the President.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that during the visit of Urmas Reinsalu, a capsule was laid in the border town of Ovruch in the Zhytomyr region on the occasion of the start of the construction of the first kindergarten within the Fast Recovery Plan. This is the first of 15 objects of general infrastructure that the Zhytomyr Regional State Administration submitted for consideration by the Estonian government for assistance in the reconstruction of the region.

“All the reconstruction – we understand that it is a large amount of money, a lot of work and a long time, and the main work will be held after the end of the war. But there is emergency help that is needed now, before the beginning of the school year, the educational process. This is the construction and restoration of schools and kindergartens, universities, as well as homes for forcibly displaced persons,” the President noted.

He stated that Ukraine received confirmation of participation in the implementation of the reconstruction plan from many states, but Estonia was the first to start implementing the project.

“I want to thank you for starting this process. This is the first occasion for us. We are grateful your country started this work. I am grateful to the government of Estonia and Estonians,” added Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President separately reminded that this is not the only case when Estonia is the first to provide support to Ukraine. It was one of the first states that supported Ukraine in the matter of providing weapons.

“This is the most important priority on the battlefield today. And this was especially tangible at the very beginning of the war, when the world was not yet united by its help. But there were several countries that helped from the first day,” he said.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance for Ukraine of Estonia’s consistent support for the sanctions policy against the aggressor country, as well as for the European integration course of our country.

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

In addition to success at the front, victories in other spheres, particularly in culture, sports and science, are no less important for Ukraine, because today all of this is our great battlefield against Russian aggression. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during a conversation with students and lecturers of Australia’s leading higher education institutions.

“I believe that culture, sports and science are of great importance in times of war, and maybe even more important than in times of peace. For Ukraine, for every citizen today, victory is motivation. And that’s why any victory motivates. We cheer for our athletes like never before. We cheer for our cultural figures, and Eurovision is not an exception, but, on the contrary, a great example. We cheer for our scientists, and when they become the best mathematicians or physicists in the world, we cheer for them more than ever. Some of us did not even know about such people in peacetime,” said the Head of State.

“Today, victory in all directions is important for us – not only on the battlefield. Because all this is our big battlefield today,” added the President.

He also noted that today, despite the contradictions that exist in any society, Ukrainian society is united and therefore strong at the time of great trials.

“I would like to believe that we will remain the same united nation after the war as we are during it,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The communication took place on the basis of the Australian National University. The moderator was the rector of this university, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Julie Bishop. Representatives of almost 20 educational institutions joined the event in the online format.

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

You cannot stand aside from the aggressive war waged by Russia against Ukraine if you share democratic principles. Defeating tyranny requires strong and effective support from people around the world. This was said by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with students and lecturers of leading institutions of higher education in Australia.

“This is a struggle between autocracy and democracy. That’s why you can’t stand aside if you defend common principles with Ukraine. I am sure that the majority of people and countries in the world defend the same values that we defend today on the battlefield at the cost of our own lives,” he said.

The Head of State noted that now it is not enough just to sympathize with Ukraine and Ukrainians – effective support is needed.

“We are grateful for this, for the support in words, but, of course, we need support in deeds. To defeat tyranny, one must be very specific. And right now. After all, every minute, every hour, every day we are losing the most important thing that the planet Earth, God and our parents gave us – people’s lives,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President thanked Australian citizens who support Ukraine as volunteers and provide humanitarian aid.

He also noted that an information war is currently unfolding in the world, as Russia has a large propaganda machine and spends billions of dollars on it.

“We understand everything about Russia. We know that the enemy has come to our land. But in different parts of the world, which are located far from Ukraine – on the African continent, in Asia – Russia spreads disinformation that they have not attacked anyone. And in some parts of the world it works. Even after eight years of war, people cannot open their hearts to the truth. Sometimes they are OK with that, sometimes their business interests are more important to them than people’s lives when making decisions,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained.

In this regard, the Head of State called on students, young people who actively use social networks, to spread in their countries true information about Ukraine and what is happening in it.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that as President, he does everything every day to ensure that Russia cannot find allies anywhere on the planet in this unjust war of aggression.

“Fortunately, I’m not the only one doing it, we all are doing it – many leaders in the world are working to convey the truth. And we see that Russia is losing allies,” the Head of State said.

He noted that he would like such an influential country as China to join the united world position regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“Today, China is balancing and adheres to neutrality. I will honestly say that this neutrality is much better than China joining Russia. I believe that the Chinese society, the people of this country will make a wise choice. Still, it is important for us that China does not help Russia,” the President said.

The communication took place on the basis of the Australian National University. The moderator was the rector of this university, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Julie Bishop. Representatives of almost 20 educational institutions joined the event in the online format.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with current OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Zbigniew Rau.

The Head of State thanked the President and government of Poland, as well as the entire Polish people for their strong support to Ukraine during the full-scale Russian invasion.

“These are powerful neighbors who are helping us today, at this historic moment, supporting us in various directions,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He also expressed gratitude to Poland for the assistance to forcibly displaced persons from Ukraine.

“They help in every way they can – taking in families, helping our children, helping families find jobs and shelter,” the Head of State noted.

The President noted Poland’s legislative initiatives in support of Ukrainians residing on the territory of this country. He reminded that the Verkhovna Rada passed a similar law regarding the special status of Poles in Ukraine.

“I believe that there should be as many such things as possible between our nations. Such unity at this time testifies to the common future of our nations, our independent sovereign states,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Poland for defense assistance to Ukraine, in particular for the supply of Krab self-propelled artillery systems.

The Head of State called on Zbigniew Rau to make efforts to free Ukrainians who were members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission from enemy captivity.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The Secretary General of the Alliance expressed condolences over Russia’s killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenivka.

The President of Ukraine separately informed Jens Stoltenberg about the situation on the battlefield and the need for Ukraine to quickly receive more heavy weapons from NATO member states in order to successfully repulse Russian attacks and proceed to a further counteroffensive.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of receiving non-lethal military aid from the Alliance as soon as possible in the framework of the comprehensive package approved at the Madrid NATO Summit. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the full financing of this assistance.

The President separately discussed with the Secretary General of the Alliance the status of processing Ukraine’s requests to NATO regarding aid in humanitarian demining and expressed hope for the acceleration of the supply of the necessary equipment.

Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the agreement on unblocking the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea ports and the dispatch of the first ship with grain from Odesa.

The Head of State invited the Secretary General of NATO to participate in the online summit of the Crimea Platform on August 23.

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

As part of the continued dialogue, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of France Emmanuel Macron. The substantive negotiations lasted one and a half hours.

The Ukrainian Head of State noted the important role of Paris and Emmanuel Macron personally in the adoption of the historic decision to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union during the French Presidency of the Council of the EU. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude for the participation of the First Lady of France Brigitte Macron in the second Kyiv Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen on July 23, 2022.

The President of Ukraine informed the French leader about the course of countering Russian aggression and the situation on the battlefield.

“We are waging a war against a real terrorist state. Russia’s planned cynical murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenivka is evidence of this,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to France for condemning this crime against humanity and for its willingness to help bring the perpetrators to justice.

The leaders discussed security cooperation in detail. The President of Ukraine noted the decisions made by France regarding the supply of new modern weapons, as well as the provided defense assistance. The parties agreed to coordinate further actions on the provision of security assistance to Ukraine by both France and other international partners, in particular as regards meeting the priority needs of Ukrainian defenders for modern weapons.

The important issue of macro-financial support for our state and the important role of the French Republic in this process were discussed separately.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron touched upon the issue of Russia’s ongoing war crimes in Ukraine.

“All the guilty must be punished. This is our principled position,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.

The Ukrainian President expressed gratitude to the French side for the practical contribution to the efforts aimed to fight impunity of Russia, namely sending a group of medics and gendarmes to Ukraine to establish the facts of crimes committed by the Russian aggressor. In this regard, the issue of continuing the work of the specified group was discussed.

Considerable attention was paid to the participation of France in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, in particular to the participation in the implementation of the Fast Recovery Plan. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the importance of France’s willingness to participate in the reconstruction of a separate region of Ukraine.

The topic of global food security was discussed separately. The interlocutors welcomed the initiative on the transportation of Ukrainian grain and emphasized the need for its unwavering implementation. The practical aspects of increasing the export of Ukrainian grain by other logistical ways were also discussed.

The President of France informed in detail about the results of his African tour, which, inter alia, resulted in the expansion of the anti-war coalition and the consolidation of international support for Ukraine given the full-scale aggression against our state by Russia.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Emmanuel Macron to participate in the online summit of the international Crimea Platform on August 23.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 29 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting devoted to the terrorist attack in Olenivka deliberately committed by the occupiers.

The meeting was attended by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, acting Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Vasyl Maliuk and Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.

They informed the Head of State in detail about the terrorist attack that took place today in Olenivka on the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region, the motives of the Russian side and the technical preparation of the crime. This morning, the enemy committed a terrorist attack on the territory of the former penal colony, which is now used as a place of detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war. A powerful explosion in the colony killed Ukrainian defenders.

The representatives of the mentioned security structures of Ukraine expressed a consolidated position regarding the events in Olenivka, which was enshrined in the Joint Statement regarding the mass murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

In particular, it is noted in their Joint Statement that during the explosion on the night of July 29, which occurred on the territory of the former penal colony of the village of Olenivka in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region, the building in which Ukrainian prisoners of war were kept was destroyed. According to the Russians, more than 50 Ukrainian defenders were killed, the number of wounded is unknown.

According to the Joint Statement, not a single employee of the colony, “DPR” soldier or Russian military man guarding the premises, according to the comments of the Russian side, was injured in the explosion. Immediately after the explosion, Russia accused Ukraine of shelling this facility with U.S. weapons and killing Ukrainian soldiers.

The leaders of the law enforcement agencies state that this explosion is a cynical terrorist act of the Russian Federation, a military provocation and a classic false flag operation, the purpose of which is to cover up war crimes, discredit the Armed Forces of Ukraine, disrupt the supply of Western weapons and increase social tension in Ukrainian society.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine attack solely Russian military facilities: warehouses with fuel, weapons and ammunition, command posts, and military infrastructure facilities. The Ukrainian army has enough means to identify targets, including space reconnaissance systems. Ukraine did not fire rockets and artillery at the village of Olenivka, the agencies said.

According to the Joint Statement, on May 16, with the mediation of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the process of evacuating the defenders of Mariupol from the territory of the Azovstal plant, which was surrounded and which was under attack of Russian troops for a long time, began. The format of the evacuation provided for the establishment of a ceasefire and the surrender of the Ukrainian military as prisoners, with subsequent swap under the guarantees of the aforementioned organizations. This format was chosen and approved by the defenders of Mariupol, who participated in the negotiations.

The key condition of the chosen format was the obligations of the Russian side to international organizations regarding the preservation of the lives and health of Ukrainian defenders. This guarantee was cynically violated, the security forces said.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the acting head of the SBU, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada state that many documented evidences prove the planned nature of this crime and its commission by the Russian side: in particular, the deliberate transfer of fighters to a new premises shortly before the explosion, analysis of the nature of injuries and the movement of the blast wave, interception of telephone conversations of militants, absence of shelling in the specified place and others. All this leaves no doubt: the explosion in Olenivka was a Russian terrorist act and a gross violation of international agreements.

Taking into account the above, the heads of the agencies require the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which acted as guarantors of the life and health of Ukrainian prisoners of war, to immediately react to the terrorist act committed by the Russian Federation.

They should immediately send their representatives, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada and representatives of the Joint Center for Search and Release of Prisoners to the territory of the colony in Olenivka in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region with the purpose of an inspection mission.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 29 July 2022.

During a working trip to the Odesa region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with servicemen of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Head of State congratulated the military on their holiday – the Day of Special Operations Forces.

“I want to thank you for your great work, for your heroism. I ask you to continue doing everything to make the enemy feel that they will never have peace here thanks to your service, thanks to the operations you conduct so that the ground under the enemy’s feet is on fire,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President introduced Viktor Khorenko as the Commander of the Special Operations Forces.

“I am sure that under his leadership there will be many achievements and many victories. And we will get closer to victory every day,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented state awards to military personnel.

Those present honored the memory of the fallen warriors with a moment of silence.

The Head of State also heard a report on the operational situation in the region.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 29 July 2022.

During a working trip to the Odesa region, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy observed the loading of Ukrainian grain onto a grain carrier for further export.

Loading took place in the Chornomorsk Sea Trade Port.

“The first vessel, the first ship is being loaded since the beginning of the war. This is a Turkish vessel. This shows that the port has started working,” the Head of State said.

According to the President, the export of grain will begin with the departure of several ships that were loaded but could not set sail due to the start of the war.

As Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, Ukraine is waiting for appropriate signals from partners – representatives of the United Nations and Turkey – regarding the start of grain transportation. As the Head of State reported, exports may begin in the coming days.

“Our side is fully prepared. We sent all the signals to our partners – the UN and Turkey, and our military guarantees the security situation. The Minister of Infrastructure is in direct contact with the Turkish side and the UN, we are waiting for a signal from them that we can start,” the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that unblocking the export of Ukrainian grain will make it possible to avoid food shortages, as well as hunger and political chaos in countries that need food products.

“It is important for us that Ukraine remains the guarantor of global food security,” he emphasized.

Together with the Head of State, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Ukraine, including Ambassador of the United States of America Bridget Brink, Ambassador of Great Britain Melinda Simmons, Ambassador of Italy Pier Francesco Zazo, Ambassador of Canada Larisa Galadza, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Anka Feldhusen, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation Rémi Duflot, Coordinator of the UN system Osnat Lubrani, got acquainted with the process of grain loading.

The President also held a meeting with representatives of the diplomatic corps, during which the issue of grain export and international support for Ukraine was discussed.

In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a visit to the Ukrainian defenders who are undergoing treatment in one of the medical institutions.

Among the hospital’s patients, in particular, is a Spanish citizen who defends our country in the ranks of the International Legion.

The Head of State spoke with the warriors and wished them a speedy recovery.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of implementing a prosthetics program for military personnel.

The President also asked the staff about the urgent needs of the medical facility.