Tag: President of Ukraine

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda met on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood in Kyiv.

The Presidents reiterated their unwavering support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to President of Lithuania and the Lithuanian people for a standing political support, tangible defence assistance, and humanitarian aid being provided to Ukraine.

President Nausėda assured that Lithuania will actively promote the swift provision of all kind assistance to Ukraine by democratic international partners on a constant and long-term basis.

Ukraine and Lithuania strongly condemned Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the ongoing temporary occupation of part of the sovereign territory of Ukraine in the Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine, the blockade of the Black and Azov Seas and ongoing militarization of the Black Sea region.

Ukraine and Lithuania reaffirmed their intentions to cooperate at bilateral and international fora with regard to de-occupation of the Ukrainian territories, temporarily occupied by Russia, particularly by using the International Crimea Platform format.

Ukraine and Lithuania will actively cooperate in order to increase pressure on Russia as an aggressor and occupant country, including sanctions, further isolation, holding accountable, including within the framework of international judicial institutions or relevant bodies, for crime of aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine.

Emphasizing the historical significance of the decision of the European Council of June 23rd, 2022 to grant Ukraine the candidate status for membership in the European Union, Ukraine and Lithuania confirm their full commitment to the European integration of Ukraine in order to gain its full-fledged membership in the EU.

Lithuania confirmed its readiness to provide Ukraine with all possible assistance in preparing for the forthcoming accession negotiations with the EU, according to the European Commission’s recommendations.

Building on NATO Madrid Summit decisions and looking forward to the next NATO Summit in Vilnius in 2023, Ukraine and Lithuania will actively cooperate in implementing strengthened package of NATO support to Ukraine and seeking the most ambitious deliverables at the upcoming NATO Summit, with a view to strengthening Ukraine’s capability to defend itself and assisting Ukraine on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Welcoming the Ukraine’s Recovery and Development Plan, presented during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (July 4th-5th, 2022, Lugano, Swiss Confederation), Lithuania confirms its readiness to actively participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

President of Ukraine expressed appreciation to Lithuania for standing assistance in sheltering the Ukrainian temporarily displaced persons, and praised the recent opening in Vilnius of the first Ukrainian Center in the European Union for citizens who were forced to leave Ukraine.

Expressing their deep satisfaction with the existing level of bilateral relations on the strategic partnership level, Ukraine and Lithuania will make every effort to further strengthen and deepen it.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 July 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the Head of State’s “Cross of Combat Merit” to Ukrainian warriors who proved themselves in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The award ceremony took place in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada during the solemn part of the plenary session on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood.

“When today, on this Day of Ukrainian Statehood, here, in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, before the eyes of the entire Ukrainian people, I will honor strong people for strong deeds with the Cross of Combat Merit, I want all Ukrainians to feel: we are behind those who defend our country on the battlefield, and behind our backs – the backs of millions of Ukrainians living now – there are those who have been creating Ukrainian history, Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian character for centuries,” the President said.

“We must be worthy of the height of our people, all its generations, and the thousand-year weight of our statehood,” the President emphasized.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 July 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that sanctions against Russia are an important element of helping Ukraine in the fight against full-scale Russian aggression, but even tougher steps are needed, and the Yermak-McFaul International Working Group is working on relevant proposals. This was stated by the Ukrainian Head of State during a conversation with media representatives after talks with the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda.

“Sanctions are a great help from all European countries, which, after all, followed the path when they do not balance between Ukraine and Russia, but fully recognized the aggression of the Russian Federation and started the path of sanctions pressure. And it really helps a lot. Even if Russia says everywhere in the media that they do not have problems due to sanctions, it is not true,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, answering the journalist’s question.

According to him, sanctions against the Russian Federation are effective, but not as fast as Ukraine would like.

“There are some moments when this or that business of individual countries of the world, due to the economic interests, does not want to lose ties with the Russian Federation and finds ways to circumvent sanctions,” the President of Ukraine noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance for all EU member states to adhere to a single position when introducing sanctions packages.

“Yes, we see weakening in the latest sanctions package. We want strengthening. But not all at once. The main thing is that the countries found a consensus, that most of the states managed to find an understanding with the minority of countries in Europe that did not want to apply the sanctions package or did not want to have such a tough package,” he said.

The Head of State emphasized that Ukraine expects tougher sanctions against Russia. This applies to the disconnection of the entire banking system of the Russian Federation from SWIFT and more decisive steps regarding energy, which Russia uses as a tool for blackmail. Proposals for sanctions against persons from the entourage of the President of the Russian Federation are also being developed.

“This is done by the Yermak-McFaul International Group. We pass it on through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to our partners, to all countries. We are constantly working on it. Many different sanctions are proposed, as well as an analysis of those sanctions that do or do not work. There are also details of how, through whom specifically Russia wants to circumvent or circumvents certain sanctions,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

For his part, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda noted that a powerful sanctions policy is the tool that can make Russia’s war against Ukraine shorter, and its consequences for our country less destructive.

“There are many opportunities to increase sanctions. Sometimes there is a lack of the courage to disconnect all Russian banks from the SWIFT system. We need solutions that can reduce Europe’s energy dependence,” he said.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 July 2022.

On the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, which Ukraine celebrates today for the first time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed out the first passports to citizens of Ukraine who turned 14 years old.

The ceremony took place in the Mariyinsky Palace. Among its participants are children of servicemen who defend the state, children of heroes who gave their lives in battles for Ukraine, and young citizens who were forced to leave their homes due to Russian aggression.

As the Head of State noted, he is particularly pleased to hand over Ukrainian passports to teenagers in the presence of one of our country’s greatest European friends – President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, who visited Ukraine on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood.

“This passport – the passport of a citizen of Ukraine, which you are receiving today – symbolizes strength. It is known and respected in all countries of the world, even where they do not have the freedom to talk about it openly,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized during the presentation of the documents.

The President reminded that Ukraine experienced different periods in its more than thousand-year history – ups and downs, victories and losses, heroism and peace.

“But there was no period when we lost our national strength – our Ukrainian love for freedom, our special sense of independence and our firmness – all that is fully manifested right now, when we are fighting for the future for Ukraine, for the future for all of you,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that young Ukrainians will be able to feel respect for themselves and their passports many times more, and called on them to do everything to increase that respect.

“I am sure you will be able to feel this respect. And please do everything to ensure that Ukraine’s strength and respect for Ukraine only increase,” the Head of State summed up and wished all the children success.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 July 2022.

On the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, who is on a visit to our country.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Gitanas Nausėda made a lot of efforts to protect European values and showed historical leadership in the defense of freedom on the eastern borders of Europe.

“A worthy representative of the great Lithuanian people, whom our children and grandchildren both in Ukraine and in Lithuania, I am sure, will recall in history lessons,” said the Ukrainian Head of State during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with the President of Lithuania in Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that Lithuania was one of the first to provide Ukraine with significant defense support during the full-scale invasion of Russia.

“I have already told this more than once and I am proud to repeat that Ukraine received the first Stingers from our Lithuanian friends,” he said.

The leaders discussed issues of security, defense and further protection of common interests of the two countries.

The Head of State noted that today the Russian occupiers increased the intensity of missile attacks on Ukraine.

“Against such a background, it was especially important for me to hear assurances from President Nausėda that defense assistance for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be further provided,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President stressed that Ukraine and Lithuania will continue cooperation to speed up the European integration of our country.

“All key elements of our negotiations, individual agreements that were reached, were recorded in a joint statement. This document will be made public soon,” said the Head of State.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Gitanas Nausėda and First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė for their help to forcibly displaced Ukrainians.

“At the initiative of the first ladies of our countries, the first Ukrainian center on the territory of the European Union was recently opened in Vilnius for the citizens who were forced to leave our country due to the Russian war,” the President noted.

The Ukrainian President emphasized that such humanitarian initiatives, along with another assistance that Ukraine received from Lithuania, testify to the closeness of our nations and prove the readiness to give a joint response to existing challenges for both countries.

President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, for his part, said that on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, he wishes Ukraine victory, which will surely happen, because Ukrainians deserve it.

The President of the Republic of Lithuania thanked the President of Ukraine and all Ukrainians who are heroically resisting Russian aggression and are an example for everyone in Europe in protecting freedom.

“Lithuania has always been and will always be with you, because the freedom and independence of your state, its territorial integrity and the safety of your people are extremely important to us,” Gitanas Nausėda said.

According to him, Lithuania is one of the main allies of Ukraine, which provides financial, political and military assistance.

“I didn’t come empty-handed today either. The new aid package is ammunition and ten armored vehicles. Soon we will present anti-drone systems, which are manufactured in Lithuania and which I know you need,” said the President of the Republic of Lithuania.

He emphasized that Lithuania has united in helping Ukraine and will not allow anyone in the West to either forget about this cruel war or get tired of it.

Gitanas Nausėda noted that all those who committed war crimes on the territory of Ukraine must be punished.

The leader of Lithuania also highly evaluated the effectiveness of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s team, which is shown in the difficult conditions of war. This is evidenced by Ukraine’s obtaining a candidate status for EU membership and implementation of reforms.

“The key thing now is not to stop and move forward,” noted Gitanas Nausėda and added that Lithuania will help Ukraine on its way to the EU.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 July 2022.

Creative director of the Balenciaga fashion house Demna became the ambassador of the United24 fundraising platform initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the “Ukraine Recovery” direction to help temporarily displaced persons.

The Head of State personally thanked Demna for the determination to support Ukraine, which the fashion house and he expressed during the Balenciaga Winter 22 show in March of this year, when the creative director shared with the guests his own experience as a refugee.

“Thank you for your support, it is very much appreciated. It is extremely important to keep the world’s attention on Ukraine in order to help rebuild our country,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

For Demna, the decision to become a United24 ambassador is related to a personal story, as he has experienced the trauma of being a refugee.

“I am honored to become a United24 ambassador. I know very well and feel the pain that Ukrainians are going through. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can help Ukraine and all the refugees who want to return home. That is why I decided to focus on the humanitarian direction “Ukraine Recovery”. And the special sweatshirt that we created at Balenciaga will be a kind of message of support for Ukraine,” he said.

A special sweatshirt was created in support of the United24 platform. 100% of the profit from its sale will be transferred to the “Ukraine Recovery” direction. The charity sweatshirts will be available to order from July 28 exclusively at united24-demna.balenciaga.com.

The “Ukraine Recovery” direction is focused on raising funds for the restoration of critical infrastructure: roads, bridges, schools and hospitals, which will make it possible for Ukrainians to return to their homes, which they were forced to leave.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the establishment of the College of Europe within the Presidential University, which will train specialists to work with the institutions of the European Union. The Head of State said this during a speech at the ceremonial part of the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Statehood.

“The European Union has the College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin, which are some of the most prestigious institutions of postgraduate education that prepare professionals to work in institutions of the EU and member states. We are establishing our College of Europe in Ukraine. A corresponding memorandum has already been signed between the Government of Ukraine and the College of Europe in Natolin,” the President informed.

According to him, at the first stage, a faculty of European integration will be established in one of the Ukrainian higher education institutions, and later, on its basis, the College of Europe within the Presidential University will be established.

“And although I have been told that this will not be resolved in months, as I have been told many times on other issues, I know that the creation of our College of Europe will not take long. I’m sure it will start working shortly,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State emphasized that the institution will be not only a professional basis for the European policy of Ukraine as a member of the EU, but also a contribution of our country to the development of European institutions.

“This is what we, the citizens of Ukraine, are capable of. This is our statehood,” he noted.

As the President noted, Ukraine should move towards the start of negotiations on membership in the European Union with the same speed with which it gained candidacy.

“We will do everything we have to for this. We will synchronize the legislation of Ukraine with the law of the European Union. A plan for the implementation of all EU regulations and directives as part of the fulfillment of the Association Agreement with the European Union has also been formed. This is actually a joint task for us, for you, dear deputies, and for the Government of our country,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

According to him, today the process of European integration in Ukraine has been transferred from the sphere of foreign policy to the sphere of domestic policy, and this is where real European integration begins.

The Head of State expressed conviction that Ukraine has always been Europe, and the values of the Ukrainian people have always been European.

“Our state-building experience of different times is a European experience. And now we have come to the point where our state system is institutionally becoming Europe,” the President emphasized.

“We showed strength in battles and united the world with the best emotions that people have. We fight against the terror of the occupiers, we defend humanity for all nations. We guarantee that the borders of Europe will never again move further west than our eastern state border. And we make our state and public institutions advanced,” the President said.

President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda also took part in the solemn part of the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. He addressed the people’s deputies from the parliamentary rostrum. President of the European Parliament Mrs. Roberta Metsola took part in the event in the online mode.

In her address, Roberta Metsola noted that on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, the bravery and determination of all Ukrainians who fight and give their lives for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine are honored. She emphasized that Ukrainians are fighting not only for their own state, but also for the whole of Europe.

“Ukrainians are a free European nation that makes its own choices, chooses its own destiny and defends our common values,” said the President of the European Parliament.

She emphasized that Europeans will never accept an aggressive invasion of a peaceful country.

“We will never close our eyes to the atrocities and crimes committed by the Russians on Ukrainian soil,” said Roberta Metsola.

The participants of the solemn part of the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada honored the memory of the defenders of Ukraine who died fighting for the freedom and independence of their country with a moment of silence.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 July 2022.

President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, who arrived in Kyiv on the occasion of the Ukrainian Statehood Day, awarded President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the highest state award of the Republic of Lithuania – the Order of Vytautas the Great with a golden chain.

“This highest Lithuanian state award symbolizes the historical unity of our nations, joint struggle and victories,” said the President of Lithuania, presenting the order to the Head of State during a speech at the solemn part of the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada.

Gitanas Nausėda told how in one of the numerous conversations with him Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had never thought he would be a “President during the war”.

“Perhaps none of us hope to be president in time of war, except those who plan war themselves. But today the whole world admires the struggle of President Zelenskyy and every Ukrainian who is fighting for the family, home, Motherland. Such a strong nation can never be defeated!” said the leader of Lithuania, addressing those present at the meeting in Ukrainian.

Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that today stories about the exploits of the Ukrainian people are spreading around the world. He thanked the Ukrainians for the fact that they defend their independence so resolutely and set a bright example for all others.

“Your struggle is also our struggle, the struggle of Lithuanians. It reminds us of the times when we fought together against a common enemy,” he said.

According to the President of Lithuania, when the 40th separate artillery brigade named after Grand Duke Vytautas bravely goes into battle, Lithuanians are proud of it as the achievements of their blood relatives.

Gitanas Nausėda is convinced that today everyone must clearly choose the side of truth and not try to sit in two chairs.

“Lithuania chose its friends a long time ago and will never betray them!” he assured.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his Lithuanian colleague and the entire people of Lithuania for the important heroic support of Ukraine.

“It was not politics for our states – it reflects the equally strong love for freedom of our nations. Nations who walked and keep walking together through European history,” said the President of Ukraine.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on the appointment of Andriy Kostin to the post of the Prosecutor General and introduced him to the body’s management.

In the presence of the Head of State, the new Prosecutor General signed the order on the appointment of his deputy – Head of the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office Oleksandr Klymenko.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the start of the new Prosecutor General’s work on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, which is celebrated for the first time today, symbolic.

The President expressed belief that Andriy Kostin, as a professional lawyer and an expert who is attentive to details, will ensure the systematic work of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“I believe that Andriy Yevhenovych can prove himself in all the functions of the Prosecutor General. The most important thing is to ensure systematic work so that there is a result, because we are evaluated based on the results,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Handing Andriy Kostin the Prosecutor General’s certificate, the President noted: “The Ukrainian people have experienced and seen a lot of injustice over the years – both now and in previous generations. But right now it is necessary to ensure the vital thing for society – justice.”

The Head of State named the restoration of justice, defense of Ukraine’s interests, its sovereignty and territorial integrity as the main tasks for today.

“Therefore, I believe that the most important task of the prosecutor’s office is to bring to justice all Russian war criminals who came to our land and did everything that, unfortunately, we and our children know in detail,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Andriy Kostin, for his part, emphasized that no crime committed by the aggressor country will go unpunished.

“I count on the support of the entire prosecutor’s office community in fulfilling the priority tasks set by you, Mr. President. We will ensure the inevitability of punishment both in national courts and at the international level for everyone who committed a war crime on our native land,” he said.

The new Prosecutor General announced that his first decision in office is the appointment of the independent Head of the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office Oleksandr Klymenko who has passed the competitive selection.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 27 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada, during which the parliament endorsed the resolution initiated by the Head of State on granting consent to the appointment of Andriy Kostin to the position of Prosecutor General. 299 people’s deputies voted for the document.

During his speech in the Verkhovna Rada, Andriy Kostin emphasized that in times of full-scale Russian invasion, it is necessary to ensure the inevitability of punishment for every war criminal, representatives of the political and military leadership of Russia.

“We must stop the terror and genocide of the Ukrainian nation. First of all, proper recording and documentation of the aggressor’s crimes will contribute to this. And the evidence should be collected in such a way that all of them are recognized as admissible in court,” he said.

Andriy Kostin noted that prosecutors should urgently ensure proper procedural guidance in all such proceedings.

The candidate for the post of Prosecutor General also emphasized the importance of ensuring proper international cooperation, in particular with the International Criminal Court.

According to Andriy Kostin, it is necessary to bring to justice those who cooperated with the enemy. In particular, this applies to corrupt law enforcers.

He drew attention to the urgent appointment of the Head of the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, whose candidacy was determined based on the results of the competitive selection.

Andriy Kostin also supports the President’s position regarding the earliest possible holding of a competition for the election of the Director of the National Anticorruption Bureau.

According to the candidate for the post of Prosecutor General, it is necessary to develop a Criminal Policy Strategy.

In addition, Andriy Kostin emphasized the importance of the implementation of judicial reform, as well as the formation of the High Council of Justice and the High Qualification Commission of Judges.