Tag: President of Ukraine

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 26 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received the Winston Churchill Leadership Award from the International Churchill Society. The Head of State took part in the award ceremony in the format of a video conference.

Chairman of the International Society Laurence Geller speaking from the press center of the Office of the Prime Minister of Great Britain (London) noted that these days there are events and phenomena that have not happened since the time of Winston Churchill 80 years ago.

“Democracy in Europe is now threatened by tyranny, and this threat is stopped by leadership and heroism. Like Winston Churchill, President Zelenskyy shows that tyranny must not succeed, that people must have the right to choose their own path and their own life,” said Laurence Geller.

According to him, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s devotion to the fundamental principles of democracy and firmness in defending his country helps Europe understand itself, and “his defense of democracy inspires us all.”

Laurence Geller also noted the role of Great Britain under the leadership of Prime Minister Boris Johnson in strengthening the ability of democracy to defend itself and deter aggression.

For his part, Boris Johnson noted that after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy proved his leadership.

“When Russians started their advance on Kyiv, you knew that you would be their target. You could leave Kyiv, as the survival of the Ukrainian state then depended on the survival of its President. But you chose to stay in Kyiv, with the Ukrainian people, just as Churchill stayed in London in 1940. And you said then: “I need weapons,” reminded the head of the government of Great Britain.

According to him, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, like Winston Churchill at his time, overcomes extremely difficult challenges and inspires with his leadership.

“The Ukrainian people is a lion, and you should be its voice. A voice against tyranny, a voice of good against evil, light against darkness. And you showed this voice of the lion perfectly, and it is very important that you are the President at this time of crisis for Ukraine and the world. Inspired by your leadership, we know that Ukraine not only can win – it will win! And when that day comes, Ukraine will emerge as a strong independent state,” the Prime Minister of Great Britain emphasized.

Expressing gratitude for the award, the President of Ukraine noted that this award reflects not only his efforts, but also the heroism of tens of thousands of Ukrainian men and women who distinguished themselves in battles with the Russian aggressor.

“This award would not be possible if the entire Ukrainian people had not risen up to defend freedom from the attack of tyranny,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

He also expressed conviction that Ukrainians and European history will always remember those who did not hesitate to come to the aid of the Ukrainian people and the idea of freedom in general. In particular, the President noted Boris Johnson’s leadership.

According to the Head of State, now we are fighting not just for the land, the rights of people or the Ukrainian people, not just for freedom in Europe – we are fighting together so that no aggressor ever again considers war as a means to achieve aggressive goals.

“And perhaps for the first time in the history of mankind we are now able to show everyone in the world and for ages that democracies, united, can stop any tyranny, even if at first it seems that it has unlimited resources for aggression. But this can become a reality only if Russia loses on the battlefield in Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

In this regard, he called for continuing the supply of modern and effective weapons to Ukraine in sufficient quantities, strengthening sanctions against Russia, and involving more nations in the coalition to protect freedom, especially those against whom Russia decided to use artificial famine in the XXI century.

“The democracies of the world are capable of stopping any tyranny. We are capable of stopping any evil that threatens our freedom. Only the joint leadership of the entire free world can be enough for this. And patience should be enough. Patience on the way to victory. No one knows today how much time and effort it will take to reach it. However, the victory is worth the effort. And it will become our shared history. So outstanding that you and I will later be quoted in the same way as we are now quoting Sir Churchill,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The award of the Head of State was handed over to Ambassador of Ukraine to Great Britain Vadym Prystaiko for delivery to the homeland.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 25 July 2022.

Ukraine will celebrate all important dates related to the history of our country, because at the time of full-scale Russian aggression, special attention should be paid to important pages of state formation. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during a meeting with media representatives following negotiations with President of the Republic of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei Falla.

The Head of State noted that Ukraine is not going to give any part of the history of a great nation and a great state to anyone.

“Despite the fact that there is a war, we will definitely celebrate all important dates for our state. Yes, due to security conditions, it is not very loud, we cannot afford it, because today the money goes to the front. But these dates will definitely be in our calendar, in our memory, for our children. We must do it,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President emphasized that it is important to overcome the Russian narrative regarding the history of Ukrainian statehood.

“The Day of Statehood, the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus’ is a great history of our great nation. And it is not a coincidence that our state can’t be broken today: the history of the inviolability of our state is not one year and not one day. This history is a thousand years old. That’s why we fight and that’s why we will definitely win,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine plans to celebrate Independence Day this year. According to him, the program of events is not disclosed until this date for security reasons.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 25 July 2022.

Ukraine, for its part, will do everything necessary to ensure the export of agricultural products from its Black Sea ports, and the issue of the safety of ships of various countries depends on the United Nations and Turkey, which negotiated with the Russian Federation in this regard. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives following the negotiations with President of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei Falla in Kyiv.

“The whole world saw that even 24 hours hadn’t passed as shelling and missile strikes at the seaports of Ukraine began. For our part, we have done everything, prepared everything, there is a corridor. Ukraine controls everything in our waters, it is only Ukraine that will carry out inspections in our waters. You know that we de-occupied our Zmiinnyi Island. This is a very important aspect for security control in relation to other grain transportation corridors,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President noted that the relevant agreements recorded on July 22 in Istanbul were to be implemented in this format.

“We trust Turkey and the United Nations with whom we signed relevant documents regarding the export of grain, and they were supposed to talk about the safety of the ships of other countries, which, by the way, agreed to transport grain – wheat, barley, corn,” he said .

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it is now a matter for the UN and Turkey – how much they will be able to control the Russian Federation, which has shown that it can fire missiles even after agreements.

“This is, in principle, their attitude towards partners – the UN and Turkey,” the Head of State said.

The President emphasized that Ukraine will definitely start exporting grain to once again prove to the whole world that it is not the country that is blocking this process.

“These are the narratives that are spread today due to disinformation and fake information by the Russian side. Therefore, we will start exporting, and let the partners take care of security,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again emphasized that Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea region will lead to famine on the African continent and in many Asian countries.

“We already know that even because of the fires that are currently taking place in Europe, there will be a large deficit and an increase in prices on the European continent,” he added.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 25 July 2022.

A meeting between His Excellency President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and His Excellency President of the Republic of Guatemala Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei Falla took place today in Kyiv as part of the official visit of the Head of the Guatemalan state to Ukraine to discuss common issues and confirm the importance of continuing interaction with the view of strengthening the friendly ties that exist between the two states.

This is the first visit at the highest level in the history of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Guatemala. The heads of state noted the restoration of interest in the development of contacts between the two states, as well as the absence of contradictions between them in approaches to solving global issues of modern international relations.

The President of Ukraine highly appreciated the clear and consistent position of Guatemala in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Both Presidents strongly condemned Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, and also confirmed their clear determination to support appropriate criminal investigations aimed at bringing to justice all those guilty of Russian war crimes in Ukraine. The high-ranking parties declared their readiness to jointly promote the initiative to establish a Special Criminal Tribunal to punish the crime of aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine.

The Presidents of Ukraine and Guatemala consider Russia’s occupation and blockade of Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, as well as the destruction by Russian troops of agricultural lands, machinery, grain storage facilities and enterprises for the processing of agricultural products and food production unacceptable.

His Excellency the President of Guatemala commended the agreements reached in Istanbul on unblocking the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports.

The heads of the Ukrainian and Guatemalan states expressed hope that the Russian side would strictly adhere to the agreements reached.

His Excellency President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to His Excellency President of the Republic of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei Falla for consistent support of Ukraine at all international platforms and forums, involvement in international efforts aimed at further political isolation of the aggressor state.

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Guatemala announced his country’s willingness to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, in particular, in overcoming the devastating consequences of the Russian invasion and restoring the civil infrastructure of destroyed Ukrainian settlements.

The high-ranking officials expressed interest in expanding cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Guatemala in the field of education, science and technology, agreed to increase the exchange of students and interns in the future, as well as to facilitate the implementation of joint scientific projects.

The heads of state agreed to promote the development of cooperation in the field of tourism by establishing direct ties between the tourism departments of the two countries.

Ukraine and Guatemala agreed to continue working on mutual expansion of diplomatic and consular presence in both states and to provide all kinds of further assistance to the work of the respective institutions.

The heads of the Ukrainian and Guatemalan states declared their intention to intensify the bilateral political, economic, cultural and humanitarian dialogue, to develop the contractual and legal basis of bilateral relations for the benefit and prosperity of the friendly nations of Ukraine and the Republic of Guatemala.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 25 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with President of the Republic of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei Falla who is on a visit to our country.

As Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, this is the first visit of the head of the Guatemalan state to Ukraine in the entire history of bilateral relations, as well as the first visit of the leader of a Latin American country since February 24, 2022, and in the last 12 years in general.

“It is crucial that such a visit is taking place right now – during the brutal and colonialist war of the Russian Federation against our people, against Ukraine. Ukraine is grateful to Guatemala for its support, and to you personally, Mr. President, I am very grateful for your principled stance,” the Head of State noted during a conversation with media representatives following the negotiations with Alejandro Giammattei Falla in Kyiv.

The President of Ukraine emphasized the serious consequences of Russian aggression, which are now being felt all over the world, in particular due to the food crisis and price destabilization in the energy markets, as well as due to political challenges to the entire international legal order.

“For the citizens of dozens of states, and in Latin America as well, the cost of living is unfairly increasing just because one state, the Russian Federation, decided to undermine the existing political and economic relations in the world. Only together can we protect the world, only together can we protect the international legal order,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Guatemala for clear and consistent support of our state, its territorial integrity, sovereignty, as well as for the unwavering position on the protection of human rights and the fundamental right of every nation to freedom and independence.

“Today, we agreed to continue to join our efforts on international platforms with the aim of further isolating Russia and increasing the price for this war and destabilization of people’s lives.

I want to thank Mr. Giammattei for supporting the sanctions policy against Russia. And I am glad that Guatemala is ready to join the promotion of the initiative to create a Special Tribunal to punish Russia for the crime of aggression against the people of Ukraine,” the Head of State noted.

As Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized, all key elements of today’s bilateral negotiations with Alejandro Giammattei will be recorded in a joint statement, which will be made public following the meeting.

Also, according to the Ukrainian President, an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements was signed during the visit of the President of Guatemala.

“I am convinced that this will contribute to the development of business and social ties between our countries, between our people,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

In addition, he informed that a trade and economic dialogue has been launched for the implementation of a number of specific projects. In particular, the Guatemalan side confirmed its interest in purchasing Ukrainian agricultural products and establishing industrial relations.

“I invited Alejandro to participate in the Crimea Platform Summit, which will be held online on August 23. I also spoke about the consolidation of other countries of the region to participate in this Summit,” the Head of State said.

For his part, the President of the Republic of Guatemala noted that he had come to Kyiv to express absolute support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Armed Forces and the entire people of Ukraine, who are bravely defending themselves against aggression.

He said that today he had visited the cities in the Kyiv region, where the aggressor had committed heinous crimes, and expressed his support for all the victims.

According to Alejandro Giammattei, the consequences of this war affect the whole world and the future of all nations, and the global food crisis that may occur due to this war will affect all countries, including Guatemala.

He called on the world community not to remain silent at a time when people are dying in Ukraine every day, and to join forces to restore peace, the rule of law and democracy.

“We from Guatemala have brought a message that we stand for peace and must join forces to end this war in order to protect human lives. Guatemala will always adhere to its words. We will not observe passively. We must unite with everyone to put an end to this war and ensure that the drama that Ukraine is experiencing today is not repeated,” said the head of the Guatemalan state.

Before the start of the meeting, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received credentials from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guatemala (non-resident) Jorge Alfredo Lemcke Arévalo.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an online call discussed with the members of one of the world’s most popular bands, Imagine Dragons, their future collaboration with the fundraising platform UNITED24.

The musicians will promote the Medical Aid direction of UNITED24. In particular, they will support the fundraising for ambulances, which was started by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

“In 2018, you visited our country for the first time. In 2022, you are still doing your best so that the voice of Ukraine continues to be heard throughout the world. Thank you for this!” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The group’s lead singer, Dan Reynolds, said: “We love the people of Ukraine and want to help in any way possible. Injustices like this can only be conquered when people around the world come together. We stand by the beautiful people of Ukraine and their courageous leader President Zelenskyy.”

According to the musician, Imagine Dragons will work with UNITED24 and local leaders to continually find ways to raise awareness and funds for the people until this unjust war ends.

“We look forward to the day when we can play a concert again in Kyiv and celebrate freedom, life and music with the resilient and strong people of Ukraine,” Reynolds said.

The first project the band will support as part of this collaboration is a fundraiser for Ambulance Vehicles launched by Olena Zelenska to help save thousands of lives. Today’s estimated number of reanimobiles needed in Ukraine is 400. Such vehicles are equipped with everything required to transport the severely injured to a hospital: oxygen tanks, cardiomonitors, defibrillators, electrocardiographs and ALV devices. The approximate cost of one C-type ambulance vehicle is EUR 100,000.

Imagine Dragons are the latest to join legendary footballer Andriy Shevchenko, outstanding tennis player Elina Svitolina, and American actor Liev Schreiber, who are all already helping the fundraising platform UNITED24 raise funds for Ukraine. The next ambassador will be announced in the upcoming week.

The Grammy Award winners have had a long, heartfelt connection with their Ukrainian audience. In 2018, they visited Ukraine for the first time: tickets to the largest concert venue – the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv – sold out in the first few weeks. The group was supposed to return on June 3, 2022, but the event had to be canceled due to the Russian invasion. The artists immediately canceled their planned performance in the Russian Federation as well, and banned the release of their discography there. Additionally, the American band supported Ukraine by performing at the Save Ukraine telethon, and during this year’s European tour, the group’s lead singer, Dan Reynolds, was rarely seen without the Ukrainian flag, dedicating songs to the country.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the delegation of the House of Representatives of the United States of America led by Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith.

The head of the Ukrainian state noted the importance of this visit, which is a strong signal of support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We appreciate the help of the United States in defending our territory, our land and the Ukrainian people. I would like to thank President Biden and the US Congress, where we have important bicameral and bipartisan support, for the leading position of the United States,” Zelenskyy said.

The President also thanked for the warm welcome First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska received during her visit to the United States, for the opportunity given to her to speak in the Congress and deliver important messages from the Ukrainian people.

The head of state noted the importance of security assistance to Ukraine from the United States, the latest package of which, containing the much-needed HIMARS launcher systems, shells and unmanned aerial vehicles, was announced the day before.

Zelenskyy briefed the U.S. congressmen on the large number of missile strikes launched today by Russian troops on Ukraine, in particular on the territory of the Odesa port. He said that this happened less than a day after the agreements regarding the export of Ukrainian grain were reached in Istanbul.

“This proves only one thing: no matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways not to implement it. Geopolitically, with weapons, bloodily or not, but it has several vectors, as it always acts,” the President said.

The head of state said that this is why Ukraine cannot be a country where there is a “frozen” war. According to him, it is extremely necessary for our state to be able to take appropriate steps to de-occupy Ukrainian territories.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy also informed the representatives of the United States Congress about the work on the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, the first stage of which is the implementation of the Fast Recovery Plan – a plan for the quick restoration of destroyed residential, educational, and medical infrastructure.

“We appeal to our partners, in particular the United States, with a proposal to take an active part in the implementation of this ambitious but extremely important project,” the President said.

Zelenskyy also thanked the congressmen, in particular the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, for their determination to continue supporting our state, helping it defend its independence and territorial integrity.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 20 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched in Kyiv the live broadcast of the speech by First Lady Olena Zelenska in the US Congress, which took place as part of her visit to the United States of America.

The Head of State is convinced that the visit of Olena Zelenska will be a significant contribution to the deepening of cooperation between Ukraine and the US. He expressed hope that the First Lady’s address to American parliamentarians and government officials will encourage them to make important decisions in support of our country and increase aid to the protection of Ukrainians from Russian invasion.

Olena Zelenska became the first wife of a state leader to speak in the US Congress. She addressed the congressmen on behalf of Ukrainian mothers and children and all citizens who died or suffered from Russian aggression.

The First Lady noted the contribution of every American family, Congress, and President Joseph Biden to Ukraine’s ability to resist the enemy and protect the lives of millions of Ukrainian citizens.

“You help us very powerfully. While Russia kills, America saves. And you should know it. We thank you,” she noted.

At the same time, Olena Zelenska emphasized that the war is not over yet and Russia continues its terror.

“I’m asking for something now that I never wanted to ask for. I am asking you for weapons! Weapons not for waging war on someone else’s land, but to protect our home and the right to wake up in it alive. I am asking you for anti-aircraft defense – so that rockets do not kill children in their strollers. So that they do not destroy children’s rooms and entire families,” Olena Zelenska said.

She called on the American people to help stop the terror against Ukrainians, and this “will be our joint great victory in the name of life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness of every person and every family.”

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 20 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan Lipavský.

The Head of State thanked Austria and the Czech Republic for supporting the decision to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union.

“This is a powerful support. We have a lot of work ahead regarding the important things that European society, the European Council and the European Commission advise us,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President expressed confidence that Ukraine will meet all the necessary requirements for EU membership.

“I would really like to open a new page in the life of Ukraine as a full member of the European Union. And this new page is the beginning of a dialogue regarding the accession to the European Union,” the Head of State emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that in this matter Ukraine counts on the support of the Czech Republic given the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The President thanked Austria and the Czech Republic for helping Ukraine during a full-scale Russian invasion.

“I would like to thank you for the attitude of your societies and governments to supporting our people, Ukrainians, especially forcibly displaced persons, women and children. I am grateful to you for the warm welcome and help you provide to them,” the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Czech Republic for the powerful defense support, which is tangible for our Armed Forces.

The President also thanked Austria for the humanitarian aid, in particular the provision of ambulance vehicles and fire trucks to our country.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 20 July 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

The leaders discussed the situation on the front and the efforts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to counter the aggressor and to liberate our territories. The President of the European Council condemned regular Russian missile strikes at peaceful Ukrainian cities.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine needs more modern heavy weapons to win. In this context, he thanked the member states for the approval of the decision to allocate the fifth package of financial assistance in the amount of 500 million euros in the framework of the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The parties discussed the introduction of the planned seventh package of EU sanctions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for further significant strengthening of sanctions pressure on the aggressor country.

The Head of State thanked Charles Michel for his leadership in the issue of granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership.

“Ukraine will not stand still and has already started to actively implement the recommendations of the European Commission to move to the next stage – the start of accession negotiations,” he emphasized.

In this context, Charles Michel positively assessed the approval by the competition commission of the winner for the position of Head of the Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office and the intensification of the selection process for the Head of the National Anticorruption Bureau. He expressed confidence that other recommendations would be implemented at the same rapid pace.

The President of Ukraine and the President of the European Council discussed the financial needs of our country to maintain macroeconomic stability. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the European Union for its decision to allocate 1 billion euros in the framework of the new program of macro-financial assistance. At the same time, he expressed expectations for the rapid implementation of this program in full, which, according to the decision of the European Council, amounts to 9 billion euros.

The interlocutors agreed on the need to maintain proper political dialogue and discussed the holding of the 24th Ukraine-EU Summit this year.