Tag: President of Ukraine

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 22 October 2022.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held a telephone conversation with Director General of the Department of International Affairs of the Office of the Prime Minister of Norway Tormod C. Endresen.

Zhovkva highly appreciated Norway’s consistent support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, which is constantly reiterated by the country’s leadership at high-level international events.

The deputy head of the President’s Office briefed Endresen on the progress of the military operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine aimed at liberating the territories temporarily occupied by Russia in the east and south of our country.

“Given the lack of success on the battlefield, the Russian Federation has returned to its tried-and-tested tactics – terror against the civilian population, destruction of critical infrastructure facilities and planned operations under a foreign flag,” Zhovkva said.

The assistance provided by Norway in the military sphere was highly appreciated, and the belief was expressed that increasing the supply of high-precision weapons would prevent further destruction and death of civilians in Ukraine.

In the light of strengthening Euro-Atlantic security, Zhovkva informed Endresen about Ukraine’s vision of the modalities of further cooperation with NATO.

As part of preparations for the first Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform, which will take place on October 25 in Zagreb, Croatia, the deputy head of the Office of the President welcomed the willingness of President of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani to participate in this public inter-parliamentary event.

Zhovkva thanked the government of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for its willingness to contribute EUR 205 million to the fund opened by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which accumulates funds to provide Ukraine with natural gas: “Such a decision is particularly important in view of the approaching winter season. This will be an invaluable help for our citizens, an opportunity for our hospitals and schools to properly ensure a stable passage of the heating season.”

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 21 October 2022.

The international working group on sanctions against Russia chaired by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and Former US National Security Adviser, Ambassador Michael McFaul has prepared another document – the Individual Sanctions Roadmap: Recommendations for Sanctions against the Russian Federation.

It contains a basic list of Russian propagandists, opinion leaders, artists who generate and spread Kremlin propaganda narratives, lies about Russia’s war against Ukraine and thus support policies aimed at undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and security of our state. This list will be updated.

The Individual Sanctions Roadmap singles out, in particular, propagandists who consistently reproduce false narratives in line with Kremlin policy, laying the ideological foundation for Russia’s war and concealing ongoing war crimes.

Propagandists are divided into two big groups: those who generate ideas for propaganda (ideologues, experts, scientists) and those who spread these ideas (journalists, artists and stars).

Disreputable think tanks (such as the Valdai International Discussion Club, the Izborsky Club, the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, the Russian Council on International Affairs and the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies have close ties to high-ranking officials, support the actions of the authorities, develop propaganda narratives.

Among those involved in spreading information in support of the war with Ukraine are not only journalists or experts, but also those who are “soldiers” in this hybrid war.

The Individual Sanctions Roadmap includes artists who are no less dangerous than corporate propagandists due to their ability to quickly and effectively spread propaganda to the masses.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, many of them have visited the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, performed at concerts in support of Russia, or publicly supported the regime of the President of the Russian Federation and his war. Their activities are not related to journalism, freedom of expression or science, but purposefully help the efforts of the military-political leadership of Russia in Ukraine.

At the same time, most of them spend their vacations abroad, many own expensive real estate in Europe and the United States.

The international working group recommends that democratic countries around the world include in their sanctions lists those persons who have so far avoided it.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 21 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso.

The Head of State noted that the visit of the EBRD President is an important signal of support for Ukraine.

“Today our cooperation is more relevant than ever, because now due to the large amount of destruction caused by missile strikes and kamikaze drone attacks, we need to work on the rapid recovery of our country,” he said.

The President of Ukraine also thanked the EBRD for its decision to stop cooperation with the Russian Federation and Belarus.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the importance of holding a large number of conferences and meetings devoted to the recovery of our country, in particular the International Expert Conference on Restoration and Reconstruction of Ukraine on October 25 in Berlin.

At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that, in parallel with the discussion of the post-war reconstruction of our country, it is important to work on a fast recovery (Fast Recovery Plan), which also requires urgent attraction of financial resources. First of all, this concerns the energy, infrastructural, educational spheres, as well as the restoration of housing for Ukrainians.

The Head of State thanked the EBRD for the decision on the financial support for NPC Ukrenergo.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed Odile Renaud-Basso about the risks for Ukraine in the energy sector due to the terrorist attacks by the Russian Federation. Possibilities of additional lending for the needs of this industry were discussed.

For her part, the President of the EBRD expressed her solidarity with Ukraine and noted that our state demonstrates extraordinary resilience. Odile Renaud-Basso emphasized that the financial institution she chairs will do everything possible to support Ukraine.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 21 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with members of the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress Mike Turner, James Himes and Eric Swalwell.

The Head of State noted that the visit of the congressmen to Ukraine is especially important today, when Russia increased its terror againt peaceful cities and civilian infrastructure, hitting them with missiles and Iranian drones.

“This is a bold step that demonstrates strong bicameral and bipartisan support for Ukraine. It confirms that the United States is our strategic partner,” the President noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed the members of the House of Representatives about the situation on the frontline and the priority needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He praised the support of the U.S. Congress, the President of the United States, his Administration and the entire American people. At the same time, the Head of State called for increasing aid in order to bring peace closer.

Separately, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of transferring air defense systems to our country in the necessary quantity to create an air shield over our country, which should protect the civilian population and critical infrastructure facilities. Such systems would become an important element of security guarantees for our state.

During the meeting, the issues of Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine and security guarantees for our state were discussed. The parties agreed on the inadmissibility of nuclear blackmail by the Russian leadership.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the strengthening of sanction pressure on the aggressor country, which is of particular importance in view of the terrorist attacks carried out by Russia in recent weeks on the civilian population and civilian objects in our country. The President separately noted that the world should designate Russia as a terrorist state.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of proper preparation of Ukraine for winter and the need for prompt restoration of the energy infrastructure that was destroyed. He expressed hope that the United States would take an active part in the reconstruction of our state.

The members of the House of Representatives assured the President of the unwavering support for Ukraine by the United States and emphasized the importance of restoring the territorial integrity of our state.

Separately, the results of the July visit of the First Lady of Ukraine to the U.S. and her speech in Congress were positively noted, as it contributed to the spread of information about the crimes of the Russian occupiers in Ukraine.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with representatives of one of the largest investment companies in the U.S. and the world, Goldman Sachs: Executive Vice President John Rogers and Co-Head of the Office of Applied Innovation and President of Global Affairs Jared Cohen.

The Head of State thanked them for their visit to Ukraine at this difficult time.

“I really appreciate when such people are not afraid and come to Ukraine to support us. And it is very important that intelligent people convey real information about the situation in Ukraine, Russian attacks and their consequences. And our people are very open and sincere,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is also open to investments, the arrival of businesses and financial companies, and new technologies.

“So that they bring something new and create jobs for Ukrainians. This is what we need,” said the President.

The Head of State told representatives of Goldman Sachs about the project to create a recovery fund to support the Ukrainian economy.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that today one of the key priorities for Ukraine is the issue of security, primarily the protection of airspace, as it is important for citizens, as well as for business and investments.

The parties discussed the possibilities of attracting investments by Goldman Sachs company to meet the urgent needs of Ukraine, which arose as a result of the full-scale aggression of Russia. In particular, attention was focused on the issue of cyber defense and countering the spread of disinformation.

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

Ukraine counts on the adoption of the United Nations resolution on the international mechanism of confiscation of frozen Russian assets as reparations for the unleashed war. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives following the negotiations with President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis in Kyiv.

The Head of State noted that Ukraine has already frozen the assets of many Russian citizens subject to sanctions.

“I signed the decree, enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, there are 3,000 people there. There are frozen assets there, and we will definitely receive compensation from them in our budget,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President of Ukraine thanked the countries that also froze Russian assets, in particular the accounts of Russian legal entities. Among others, Switzerland supported Ukraine in this matter.

At the same time, the Head of State emphasized the importance of introducing an international mechanism for the transfer of frozen assets of the aggressor country to Ukraine as compensation.

“We are working on this – so that the appropriate resolution on the implementation of an international compensation mechanism is supported by the United Nations. Many countries are already willing to do this. I think that by the end of this year we will have real solutions, we will see a real mechanism,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President noted that the issue of the implementation of the frozen assets compensation mechanism will be discussed at the International Expert Conference on the Restoration and Reconstruction of Ukraine, which will be held this month in Berlin.

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

In Kyiv, in the presence of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis, the Memorandum of Partnership between Ukraine and the Swiss Confederation on cooperation in the field of digital transformation was signed.

The document was signed by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov and Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Patricia Danzi.

According to the Memorandum, the signatories intend to expand and deepen cooperation in the field of digital transformation in order to promote the recovery of Ukraine through digitization.

It is envisaged that Switzerland can provide grant funding in the amount of up to CHF 15 million to support the further development of digitization as an innovative approach to recovery in accordance with the principles approved at the International Ukraine Recovery Conference, which took place on July 4-5, 2022 in Lugano.

The participants declared their intention to direct this grant to the expansion of the Program “Electronic governance for government accountability and community participation” (EGAP), which is an exceptional example of Swiss-Ukrainian cooperation and has proven its effectiveness. The grant will support the digital recovery and development of the EGAP Program during 2022-2023 and will allow expanding the scope of its activities both thematically and geographically.

“We separately discussed the possibilities of the Swiss side in supporting the digitization of our country and helping in the restoration of telecommunications systems in the newly de-occupied territories of our state, as well as in countering cyber threats,” noted Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives following the meeting with Ignazio Cassis in Kyiv.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis, who is on a visit to our country.

The Head of State thanked Ignazio Cassis for his visit to Ukraine, which testifies to the impossibility of maintaining neutrality in times of extraordinary challenges for the security of the entire continent and humanity.

As the President of Ukraine noted during a conversation with media representatives following the meeting with Ignazio Cassis in Kyiv, Russia has now moved to a new stage of escalation and intensified terror against Ukrainian cities, using missile attacks and Iranian combat drones.

“The key topic of our negotiations with Mr. President of Switzerland is further interaction in response to the terror of the Russian Federation,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President of Ukraine thanked Switzerland for its clear and principled condemnation of Russia’s criminal attempt to annex the occupied territories of Ukraine and its support for the EU’s sanction packages against the Russian Federation.

“We also expect that Switzerland will support our steps in response to the complicity of Iran, which helps Russia terrorize our cities by sending combat drones,” the Ukrainian Head of State said.

According to him, during the meeting, the possibilities of assistance from Switzerland in eliminating the consequences of Russian strikes on energy facilities of Ukraine and its participation in the modernization of transport infrastructure, in particular railways, were discussed.

Separately, the interlocutors focused on the issue of rebuilding our country.

“I want to thank Mr. President Cassis once again for organizing a conference in Lugano dedicated to the recovery of Ukraine. Our Swiss friends have been informed about the areas in which they can most effectively participate within the Fast Recovery Plan,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In addition, the leaders discussed the involvement of Switzerland in the development of certain sectors of the Ukrainian economy, in particular the processing industry.

“Switzerland’s investment potential is very significant, and cooperation with Ukraine can bring real benefits to our peoples,” the President of Ukraine is convinced.

Taking into account the unique experience of the Swiss side, the participants of the negotiations substantively discussed cooperation in the field of demining and construction of bomb shelters in Ukraine. As Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, an agreement was reached to hold a meeting of working groups for the implementation of these projects.

Separately, the Head of State thanked President Ignazio Cassis for his country’s support of initiatives and programs to search for missing persons, assistance in investigating the crimes of the Russian occupiers, and the provision of forensic equipment.

“We agreed on close cooperation within the UN regarding Ukrainian initiatives to create a compensation mechanism and a special tribunal. I am sure that our cooperation will only strengthen in all spheres: politics, economy, on international platforms, in the humanitarian sphere,” the President of Ukraine emphasized and thanked his Swiss colleague for substantive negotiations, in which a wide range of representatives took part, and for the constant support of our state and people.

For his part, the President of the Swiss Confederation noted that his country provides the Ukrainian state with support in various areas, in particular humanitarian aid, which is intended to meet the urgent needs of Ukraine and its citizens. 5.5 thousand tons of humanitarian goods were transferred, and experts were sent to help our country.

Ignazio Cassis said that before the meeting with the Head of State, he visited Borodyanka and Ivankiv in the Kyiv region, in particular, a kindergarten for children with disabilities that was rebuilt thanks to the help of Switzerland. He also spoke with Ukrainian families who received housing assistance.

The President of the Swiss Confederation noted that what he saw gives a complete picture of the atrocities committed and the suffering of people, and expressed his admiration for the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people.

“From the very beginning, Switzerland strongly condemned this Russian military aggression. We immediately developed concrete steps to support Ukraine. Switzerland is a neutral country, but this does not mean that we should not pay attention to what is happening in Ukraine. Mass murders of people are something that has nothing to do with neutrality or our values,” he emphasized.

According to Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland will continue to support reforms in Ukraine, the decentralization process and the development of digital transformation.

“Our contribution to the digital sphere continues with an additional CHF 15 million to support the digitization process. Digital solutions are critical – they can save lives and make public services much easier to access,” he said.

The President of Switzerland also declared his readiness to help bring war criminals to justice and assist in the search for missing Ukrainian citizens.

“Switzerland will continue and, if necessary, intensify cooperation with international partners regarding the implementation of sanctions against the Russian Federation,” Ignazio Cassis said.

He expressed conviction that it is necessary to help Ukraine restore the normal life of people right now, without waiting for the end of the war.

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

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a substantive and constructive call with Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The Head of State informed the interlocutor in detail about the situation at the front. Particular attention was paid to the air terror by Russia and the terrorist state’s purposeful destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as Iranian kamikaze drones.

“The goal of these actions is to destroy Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, primarily the energy infrastructure, before winter. Destroy the will of our people. This is what we warned our partners about,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President of Ukraine emphasized the urgent need for active actions by international partners to deploy an air shield over Ukraine as soon as possible. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Germany for the transfer of the first IRIS-T air defense system, which has already proven its high efficiency, and expressed hope for receiving additional such systems. The parties also touched upon the issue of German armored vehicles, artillery systems and other elements of defense assistance from the Federal Republic of Germany necessary for the liberation of Ukrainian lands.

The interlocutors noted the importance of Germany’s continued comprehensive support for Ukraine, material and technical assistance to our defense forces, as well as the readiness to immediately help in overcoming the acute humanitarian consequences of Russian missile terror, in particular in the restoration of electricity, water supply and heating. The President of Ukraine thanked Germany for the first diesel generators provided.

Separately, the leaders discussed Ukraine’s move to the EU, as well as Ukrainian-German cooperation within the UN.

The parties positively assessed the implementation of the grain export initiative and underscored the need for its continuation.

Touching upon the issue of the reconstruction of Ukraine, the interlocutors paid attention to the holding of the International Expert Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine, scheduled for October 25 in Berlin, as one of the activities of the German presidency of the Group of Seven. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his readiness to address the participants of the Conference in an online format and confirmed the participation of the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

The important results of interaction in the format of the first ladies of Ukraine and Germany, Olena Zelenska and Elke Büdenbender, were positively evaluated. These include, in particular, the treatment of Ukrainian children with cancer in Germany and the launch of the Better Times Stories joint project at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

The Presidents paid attention to the preparation of the expected visit of Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Ukraine.

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

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a video call with representatives of leading Jewish organizations, during which he emphasized the importance of providing our state with modern air defense systems that Israel has.

Andriy Yermak told the participants of the online meeting that on October 7-8, Russia launched 190 strikes with missiles and drones on the territory of Ukraine, and on October 10, 84 missiles and 24 attack UAVs were launched.

In general, according to the available information, the Russian Federation purchased 2,400 kamikaze drones from Iran, which attack Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure, and historical and cultural monuments every day.

In particular, on Monday, October 17, such a drone destroyed a historic building in the center of Kyiv, built by the Jewish community, in which many famous people once lived.

“We are talking about the intention to intimidate civilians, efforts to destroy the critical infrastructure of Ukraine before winter, to plunge the country into darkness and frost,” the Head of the President’s Office emphasized.

Andriy Yermak noted that the Russian authorities are considering the possibility of purchasing missiles and other weapons for attacks on Ukraine. He emphasized that the Russian aggressor directs his efforts not only against our state, but also against the entire civilized world.

“I think there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that we are dealing with a terrorist state. Russia is a terrorist state that today uses Iran in its fight against the United States and its allies, including Israel. Andriy Yermak is convinced that Russia is the European Hezbollah.

The Head of the President’s Office emphasized that without reliable air defense systems, no one in Ukraine will be able to feel safe: children will not be able to go to school, and civilians will be left without heat and electricity.

“Finally, our allies and partners, in particular the USA, Great Britain and other states, confirmed the start of work on providing Ukraine with air defense systems,” he noted.

Andriy Yermak called on Israel to join effective assistance to Ukraine, because at a time when the aggressor poses threats to the whole world, it is impossible to remain an outside observer. According to him, it is important to unblock military-technical cooperation between the two countries.

In particular, according to the Head of the President’s Office, Jewish public organizations are now able to influence the situation and persuade the Israeli government to provide our state with the necessary systems.

“Today, the voice of each of you and your organizations is critically important in the issue of air defense, in which Israel has really great experience, and most importantly – it has these systems,” emphasized Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the Office of the President also noted the importance of information support to Ukraine in difficult times of war.

“Explain as much as possible to both citizens and politicians what Russia’s real goals are in this war, as well as what Ukraine is fighting for. This is necessary not only for us – this is also a guarantee of peace for Israel,” noted Andriy Yermak.

He urged to support Ukraine in concluding the Kyiv Security Compact on the mechanism of security guarantees, recommendations for which were developed by an international group of experts chaired by the Head of the President’s Office and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that despite war, Ukraine will not stop in the development and support of the Babyn Yar Memorial Center, although the hostilities make their adjustments. “This memorial will develop and truly become one of the most powerful memorials in the world,” he assured.

For his part, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Jewish Agency for Israel and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center Natan Sharansky noted that the war in Ukraine is not just a tragedy for the Ukrainian people, it is a war for the future of the entire free world.

“That’s why I, like everyone present here, believe that being together with Ukraine at this moment is not just a moral obligation, it is in the interests of Israel,” said Natan Sharansky.

He noted that the systems of early warning about missile attacks, which Israel is ready to provide, will help Ukraine use air defense means more economically and inform citizens more quickly. However, according to him, Israel can provide much more help, so this is only the first step and everything should be decided in the process of negotiations.

“Our duty is to do everything so that Israel does this. The people of Ukraine need this, but we, as part of the free world, also need this, because Putin has encroached on the foundations of the free world and wants to deprive us of this freedom,” said Natan Sharansky.

Chief Rabbi of Kyiv, President of the Union of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine Yaakov Dov Bleich emphasized that in this historic struggle, Israel must be on the side of truth and protection of people’s lives.

“We are talking now about saving lives – this is not about politics, not about elections. We are talking now about the war against people, against the nation. This is terror to destroy people. We have to do something to stop this,” said Yaakov Dov Bleich.

“We must fight against terror, we must do everything possible to stop the killing of civilians. Everyone saw these mass burials on the territory of the de-occupied cities – in Bucha, in the Kharkiv region. We cannot turn a blind eye,” he added.

The Chief Rabbi of Kyiv offered to establish an international committee of Jews to support Ukraine in the fight against terror and appeal to the government and people of Israel to support Ukraine.