Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 14 November 2022.

As part of a working trip to the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on stabilization measures in the de-occupied territory of the Kherson region.

The Head of State listened to the report of the commander of the Kherson operational-strategic group of troops, Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi about the situation in the region.

Head of the Kherson regional military administration Yaroslav Yanushevych informed the President about the state of the city’s critical infrastructure and life support systems.

70-80 thousand people currently live in Kherson. The city has a difficult situation with electricity supply and communication.

“Everything will return. Yes, unfortunately, the occupiers, who destroy everything on their path, destroyed the entire power supply network. But our services are working, and everything will return,” the President emphasized.

As Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted, points of assistance to residents will gradually appear in the city, as was the case in the Kharkiv region.

For his part, Yaroslav Yanushevych noted that, on the instructions of the Head of State, measures are being taken to restore the destroyed power transmission lines going to the Kherson region.

“We are working on this issue round the clock together with Ukrenergo. Our electricians are moving right behind the explosives technicians. And we hope that the electricity supply will be restored in the near future,” he said.

The participants of the meeting discussed the provision of assistance by neighboring regions, in particular Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, in the establishment of logistics and the return of normal life to the liberated territories of the Kherson region.

In Mykolaiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also visited the humanitarian headquarters that operates under the RMA and has been providing assistance to people in need since the first days of full-scale Russian aggression.

Thus, over 4 million tons of humanitarian aid was distributed among the communities of the region in 9 months. The population is regularly supplied with food and non-food kits, warm clothes, medicines and building materials for repairing houses damaged by shelling.

The humanitarian headquarters has already sent aid to Kherson, which was recently liberated from the Russian occupiers. This includes, in particular, more than 25 tons of food kits, 26 pallets of food products, and 3 tons of hygiene products. Also, an ambulance, more than 6 tons of medicines, including insulin and other critical medicines, as well as medical supplies that were purchased for the Kherson region and stored in Mykolaiv until de-occupation were transferred from the Mykolaiv region to Kherson.

The speech made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, on 11 November 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a video message on the implementation of the EU Solidarity Lanes Initiative.

This initiative was launched on May 12, 2022. Its purpose is to promote the establishment and improvement of alternative routes for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products given the blockade of the Black Sea ports, as well as to ensure the possibility of importing necessary goods to Ukraine.

The initiative envisages the implementation of a set of measures to eliminate transport delays at the borders of Ukraine with the states of the European Union, improving road, rail and river connections between our country and the EU in the future.

Today, the European Commission together with the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced the allocation of additional 850 million euros in the framework of the initiative, and the World Bank – 100 million euros to support Ukrainian exports, in particular through the implementation of targeted joint projects.

In his address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the entire united Europe for the constant support that Ukraine has been receiving since the first hours of the Russian invasion.

“Please, know that your defense assistance, as well as financial, political and humanitarian support, saved millions of lives. This is the solidarity that clearly demonstrates the strength of the European values. When Europe is truly united, not a single tyranny can take the freedom of the Europeans away,” the President emphasized.

The Head of State noted that by starting the full-scale war in Ukraine, Russia blocked Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and a bigger part of Ukrainian export and import stopped.

“But we were able to open a new way of economic life through the territory of the European Union. Along this road of life, we established a supply that is critically important not only for Ukraine but also for the whole Europe and many other countries – partners of Europe,” he said.

“On the eve of the half-year anniversary of the Solidarity Lanes Initiative, I confirm our readiness to continue working together with you in order to further strengthen our Europe. Strengthen economically and socially. To strengthen our states, our companies, our people,” the President of Ukraine added.

The video address of the Head of State together with the speeches of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the leaders of neighboring countries was broadcast by Europe by Satellite, the main television resource of the institutions of the European Union, and other EU information channels.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 9 November 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference meeting with representatives of Ukrainian and international human rights organizations devoted to the issue of ensuring the rights of Ukrainian military and civilian prisoners held by the Russian Federation.

Andriy Yermak emphasized that Russia’s forced detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in inhumane conditions is the most acute human rights issue in Europe since World War II.

“In the XXI century, we lived to the point where there are concentration camps in the center of Europe. I mean not only Olenivka, but also other terrible places,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

He noted that the International Committee of the Red Cross did not agree to delegate its representatives to the mission, which was supposed to go to the delimitation line and demand from Russia access to places of detention of Ukrainian prisoners.

At the suggestion of Andriy Yermak, the meeting participants decided to create an information human rights headquarters, which will regularly publish data on human rights violations during Russian aggression that are important for the global human rights community and the media.

The Head of the Office of the President called on Ukrainian and international human rights organizations to join the work of the headquarters.

It will work continuously and will become a platform for information support of Ukrainian prisoners held by the Russian aggressor.

“We have to put pressure on the Russian Federation from all sides, keep this issue in focus at all international platforms and do everything that depends on us to get information and work on the emergence of an international mission,” emphasized Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the Office of the President also proposed to create an interactive exhibition dedicated to the issue of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. According to Andriy Yermak, Ukrainians released from captivity and relatives of prisoners will be able to participate in the exhibition.

“When people see what is happening today, in the XXI century, in the center of Europe, it is better than any political tools,” he said.

Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Lubinets expressed his belief that the International Committee of the Red Cross has demonstrated its inefficiency and even unwillingness to monitor Russia’s compliance with the norms of humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.

“As human rights defenders, we must look for new platforms, new mechanisms to cope with this challenge. Therefore, I invite everyone to join this initiative and involve colleagues from all over the world,” said Dmytro Lubinets.

The commissioner also reported that the international community of ombudsmen supports the creation of new missions and platforms where the issues of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, as well as deported children, whom Russia continues to take from the temporarily occupied territories, will be raised.

As noted by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova, joining the efforts of state and non-governmental human rights organizations will make it possible to develop new approaches to protecting the rights of Ukrainian prisoners.

“Only when we join forces can we have a result,” she said.

Head of the board of the Crimean human rights group Olga Skrypnyk also called for attention to the protection of the rights of Ukrainian activists and Crimean Tatars who are subjected to constant repression by the Russian occupiers in Crimea. She supported the initiative to constantly inform the international community about the issues of Ukrainian prisoners held by the aggressor.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 8 November 2022.

Dialogue with the Russian Federation will become possible when the Russian army leaves Ukrainian territory, otherwise the ceasefire agreement will become only a tactical pause to strengthen Russian positions and lead to the loss of Ukrainian territories. Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated this in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

He noted that every military success and every meter of liberated land strengthens Ukraine. At the same time, he believes that dialogue with Russia will become possible when the Russian army leaves Ukrainian territory.

Mykhailo Podolyak emphasized that there is no consensus among the leaders of Western countries on the issue of removing the President of the Russian Federation from office, but any agreement with the current Russian leader will lead to the loss of the territories of Ukraine and the strengthening of other autocracies.

“A deal with Putin is a one-way ticket to a world where international law is no longer valid, where law is determined by force, and force is nuclear weapons. And why pay such a price if Putin does not give up the goal of destroying us? The ceasefire for Russia is a tactical pause for reinforcement. Is it worth making such a gift to Moscow?” said the Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President.

Answering a question about whether Ukraine would continue to fight if Western countries refused us new military aid, Mykhailo Podolyak said: “Ask the Ukrainians. Those whose homes were hit by Russian missiles. Those whose loved ones were killed or raped. Those who spend the night in cold, wet trenches. Ask those who will stay here for the winter, knowing that Russia will try to deprive us of light, water and communication. Ask, looking these people in the eyes.”

“We have no choice. Russia invaded us with mobile crematoria and half a million body bags. If we cease to defend ourselves, we cease to exist. Literally. Physically. We will continue to fight, even if they stab us in the back,” added the Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President.

At the same time, he urged not to speculate on the topic of negotiations among representatives of the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

“The armed forces of both countries can communicate with each other even to receive warnings about the consequences of using weapons of mass destruction. But there are no negotiations between Russia and Western countries regarding Ukraine. Our partners adhere to the principle “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”. No party will be able to ensure the implementation of agreements without the endorsement of the Ukrainian people,” Mykhailo Podolyak summarized.

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 8 November 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with member of the US President’s Cabinet, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who arrived on a visit to our country.

The Head of State thanked the entire American people, US President Joseph Biden and his administration, the US Congress for the strong bipartisan and bicameral support of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war waged against our country by the Russian Federation.

“It is important that this support is fully manifested in the UN as well,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized, highly appreciating Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s personal role.

The United States delegation was briefed on the situation at the front and the escalation of Russian air terror against critical civilian infrastructure of Ukraine using cruise missiles and Iranian drones. It was emphasized separately that targeted Russian attacks damaged almost 40% of energy infrastructure facilities, as a result of which more than 4.5 million consumers remain without electricity in Ukraine.

“Given the continuation of Russia’s missile terror, our first priority is the urgent creation of an air shield over Ukraine,” the Head of State emphasized.

The President noted that the Russian Federation supplements the missile terror with cynical accusations against Ukraine of creating a “dirty bomb”, which have already been officially denied by the IAEA, and the continuation of open nuclear blackmail at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

In this regard, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for the United Nations to take a number of immediate steps, including the immediate dispatch of a mission of UN experts initiated by our state to Ukraine to investigate Iran’s supply of UAVs to Russia in violation of UN Security Council sanctions; sending competent representatives of the UN to the objects of critical infrastructure of Ukraine to assess the destruction and the need for restoration; maximum involvement of the capabilities of the United Nations in the restoration of the Ukrainian energy industry.

“It is also necessary to limit the membership and privileges of the terrorist state in the IAEA. There is a clear and understandable algorithm for this,” said the President of Ukraine.

During the meeting, the parties focused on supporting Ukraine’s initiatives at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. First of all, regarding the creation of a compensation mechanism for the consequences of Russian aggression, the initiation of a special tribunal regarding the crime of Russian aggression against our country, as well as the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, with an emphasis on Crimea and Sevastopol.

Special attention was paid to the pressing issue of Russia’s forced detention of Ukrainian military and civilian prisoners. The President reminded that more than a thousand prisoners have already been released, but a large number of Ukrainians are still living in terrible conditions on the territory of Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. In this regard, the Head of State emphasized the importance of international pressure in order to resolve the issue of access of UN representatives and the International Committee of the Red Cross to these persons as soon as possible.

A separate topic of the meeting was global food security. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the role of the UN and the Secretary-General personally in the implementation of the “grain initiative”, which provides food to millions of people in Africa, Asia and Europe. The interlocutors emphasized the need to extend the grain agreement after November 19.

“The last few days show that it is possible. Yes, Russia slows down this process in every possible way in order to blackmail the world. But I think that we will cope with this problem together,” he is convinced.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that despite the full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation, Ukraine is ready to remain the guarantor of world food security.

“Ukraine saves the world” – under this slogan we will provide assistance to the poorest. The first ship in the framework of the initiative is to depart shortly. We offer the countries of the world to join this important initiative,” the President of Ukraine noted.

There was also an exchange of views on specific steps to limit the aggressor state’s ability to abuse UN membership.