Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine must return all its territories, this will be a victory of justice – Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with the Harvard university community [September 2022]

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

Ukraine must return all its temporarily occupied territories, and only then can we talk about the end of the war. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with students and lecturers of Harvard University.

“If it is not clear that we have regained our land, the war is over and there is peace, and instead something is always under a question mark, some part is not de-occupied, and the other part is in some kind of compromise, then, believe me, Russia will return to the occupation of our land,” the Head of State said.

The President noted that, unfortunately, Ukraine will not be able to return its dead citizens, but it can certainly restore justice, which begins with the return of its land.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that Russia’s war against Ukraine demonstrated the need to reset international institutions, which should react faster, preferably preventively, without waiting for a bad result.

Also, in his opinion, one may believe or not believe Russia’s threats to use nuclear weapons, but the world should definitely be strong and not be afraid of intimidation by any aggressor.

“Because there will be many more such threats. So that there are fewer of them, it should be systematically written out what the reaction will be. Even to words or intentions. For such military and political leaders to be afraid to even think of threatening any state with anything – with nuclear weapons, hunger, annexation, or occupation,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President is convinced that Ukraine can set an example of such changes in the international security system, because it was on the territory of our country that the aggressor violated human rights, tortured, raped, seized a nuclear power plant, threatened with nuclear weapons, etc. Therefore, as the Head of State noted, the international working group headed by the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and former Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen developed recommendations on security guarantees for our country.

“We sent them to world leaders and would like to apply them. It is important that the countries that find themselves in danger can receive weapons, sanctions against the aggressor, and financial aid in a short time,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Andriy Yermak held an online meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America [September 2022]

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

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak spoke in a video conference format with representatives of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA).

At the beginning of the conversation, he expressed gratitude to Ukrainians around the world, particularly in the United States, for supporting our country during all these months of the full-scale Russian invasion.

“The Ukrainian diaspora is a cementing link that unites the efforts of American society to help in the fight against Russian total evil,” the Head of the President’s Office emphasized.

Andriy Yermak also reminded that 215 defenders of Ukraine, including two US citizens, were recently released from Russian captivity, and the work on the liberation of all prisoners will not stop.

The Head of the Office of the President stated that Ukraine will continue to insist on recognizing Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism at all levels, and the need for this should be actively communicated.

Andriy Yermak noted that now it is extremely important to continue and strengthen the powerful armed support for Ukraine by the US to free all our people and Ukrainian land from the occupiers as soon as possible.

He said that weekly briefings are held in the President’s Office for the military of the United States and Great Britain, who receive detailed information about the current developments at the front and the use of aid provided by partners.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Roman Mashovets informed the UCCA representatives about the needs of the defense forces of Ukraine and outlined the ways in which Ukrainians in the US could contribute to our country obtaining the necessary means to protect and liberate its land.

According to Andriy Yermak, it is extremely important that the US be at the forefront of the process of bringing Russia’s top leadership to justice for war crimes.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Andriy Smyrnov emphasized the importance of creating a special international tribunal that would deal with the bloodiest crime of aggression since World War II, which caused all other subsequent war crimes during the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The project of creating this tribunal has already been presented to the ambassadors of 30 countries.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Rostyslav Shurma spoke about the plans for the reconstruction of Ukraine, which concern both the urgent restoration of the social, energy, and transport infrastructure for the normal functioning of the state today, as well as a more distant perspective. In particular, it is about the Recovery Fund, which will aim to create opportunities for public and private investors to participate in the reconstruction and revitalization of Ukraine’s economy.

Andriy Yermak also offered the Ukrainian diaspora in the US to join the United24 platform initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and choose their representatives who could become its ambassadors.

For his part, President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Andriy Futey noted that the Ukrainian community in the United States is constantly working to stop the enemy who has come to Ukrainian soil. This concerns the areas of defense support for Ukraine, sanctions pressure on Russia, recognition of the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and holding its leadership accountable for war crimes.

He talked about the measures of the Ukrainian diaspora in support of Ukraine, and also expressed readiness to actively promote the initiatives of our country in the United States.

October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Kyrylo Tymoshenko held a meeting with the Ambassador of Romania regarding participation in the implementation of the Fast Recovery Plan [September 2022]

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

The Office of the President of Ukraine continues involving partners in the implementation of the Fast Recovery Plan and the restoration of the infrastructure damaged by the full-scale Russian invasion. On Tuesday, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Tymoshenko held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Ukraine Alexandru Victor Micula.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko spoke in detail about the recovery plan and the creation of a special reconstruction fund. He also informed about the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to which partner states, individual cities and large businesses are offered to take under patronage the restoration of regions of Ukraine, individual objects or directions. Everyone can choose what to take care of.

The Deputy Head of the President’s Office noted that the needs of our country are constantly updated, as the war continues and the Ukrainian Armed Forces de-occupy new territories. Now, on the eve of winter, the restoration of housing, networks and other critical infrastructure is urgent.

“Many citizens have already returned home, and they need to restore the roofs in their houses, replace windows and so on,” noted Kyrylo Tymoshenko.

He added that part of the work, in particular the most urgent one, is carried out with budget funds, but Ukraine’s resources are limited, so the help of partners is needed.

Alexandru Victor Micula noted that Romania is ready to support the recovery of Ukraine and is waiting for detailed information about the facilities and the Fast Recovery Plan, which can be presented to the government.

The Ambassador expressed interest in involving Romanian private individuals and companies in the recovery process, which could speed up the reconstruction of Ukraine, since the provision of budget funds requires bureaucratic procedures.

The Deputy Head of the President’s Office noted that the Ukrainian troops are fighting for the liberation of the Luhansk region and the final de-occupation of the Kharkiv region. And in the already liberated areas of the Kharkiv region, the issue of restoring networks that were completely destroyed during hostilities is extremely urgent.

In the Sumy, Chernihiv and Kyiv regions, the most pressing issue is assistance in rebuilding citizens’ homes. According to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, there are about 20,000 private houses in the Kyiv region that need urgent repair.

October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New Civil Service Commissioners appointed [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 October 2022.

Elizabeth Walmsley, Stephen Cohen, Christopher Pilgrim and Atul Devani have been appointed as Commissioners as part of the Civil Service Commission.

Together they bring valuable skills and experience from both public and private sector backgrounds.

The Civil Service Commission is an independent statutory body that oversees appointments to the Civil Service, ensuring that they are made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Commissioners also promote and hear appeals brought under the Civil Service Code.

The new Civil Service Commissioners have been appointed after an open competition which took place in 2022.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Nadim Zahawi said:

I would like to congratulate the four new commissioners on their appointments. They bring a variety of expertise that will help ensure that civil servants are recruited on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition, helping safeguard an impartial Civil Service.

Baroness Gisela Stuart, the First Civil Service Commissioner, said:

I am delighted that Atul, Christopher, Elizabeth and Stephen will be joining our board of Civil Service Commissioners. Their extensive experience and expertise from leadership roles and boards in other sectors will enrich the Commission’s work both as an independent regulator of recruitment into the Civil Service and in hearing complaints under the Civil Service Code. I look forward to working with them as Commissioners, helping to ensure we have an effective Civil Service, appointed on merit, to develop and deliver government services across the country.

The new Commissioners announced today join the Commission from 3 October 2022 for a 5 year non-renewable term. Commissioners work part-time, typically between 4 and 8 days a month.

October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : North Korea ballistic missile launch – FCDO statement [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2022.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:

North Korea’s decision to carry out its fourth ballistic missile test in a week on 1st October is in complete violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.

The UK continues to work closely with our partners to urge North Korea to return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK wins seat on top UN telecoms council [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 3 October 2022.
- The UN agency allocates spectrum, coordinates satellite orbits and develops technical standards for mobile phones, TV and sat-navs
- Election gives UK a major role in promoting a free, open and secure internet and connecting the unconnected
The UK has been elected to the governing council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency which enables the world’s phone, internet and satellite networks to operate.

The ITU coordinates the global allocation of spectrum, the radio waves used for sending and receiving information. It also oversees the network of orbiting satellites which enable everyday technologies such as mobiles, wifi, terrestrial television, GPS navigation, weather information and online maps to function.

The organisation is behind the technical agreements on country codes (for example +44 in the UK) that make international phone calls possible. Its radio frequency allocations enable people’s phones to roam overseas and its technical standards have helped enable people to stream video on their devices. It also works to widen access to the internet to the 2.7 billion people across the world that aren’t connected.

The UK has been an active member of the ITU, one of the oldest international organisations still in existence, for more than 150 years. The council acts as the union’s governing body to guide the ITU’s work in telecoms and information and communication technology (ICT) policy issues which affect every country in the world.

The UK received the second highest number of votes in the Western Europe group, securing 151 votes out of a possible 179. Technology minister Damian Collins and Foreign Office minister and UK Special Envoy to the ITU Lord Ahmad attended the ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference in Bucharest last week to support the UK’s election campaign.

Tech and Digital Economy Minister Damian Collins said:

The UK is a technology superpower and has always played a leading role setting international standards for telecoms and innovations which have improved billions of people’s lives across the globe.

With a seat on the ITU’s governing council, we will champion tech as a solution to the world’s biggest challenges, redouble our efforts to close the divide between those cut off from technology and those in the digital fast lane and make sure the internet remains free and open.

Foreign Office Minister of State and UK Special Representative to the ITU, Lord Ahmad said:

I’m delighted the UK has been selected to help lead the ITU’s mission in realising everyone’s right to communicate freely and securely, wherever they are in the world.

Through our seat in the governing council, we’ll work with all states to ensure the organisation delivers for its members and bridges the digital divide.

Becoming a member of the ITU’s Council will bolster UK efforts to promote collaboration and consensus among the ITU’s 193 member states to tackle some of the biggest issues affecting the technology, telecoms and space sectors.

Issues include the growing demand for radio spectrum caused by the growth of new wireless technologies and the ITU’s mission to ‘connect the world’ – bridging the global digital divide and increasing prosperity in developing countries by boosting digital inclusion and people’s skills.

The UK will also use its membership to ensure the ITU focuses on keeping information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the hands of industry and the free market and making sure they remain interoperable – benefiting UK technology businesses through access to the biggest possible global market.

The UK’s success comes as US candidate Doreen Bogdan-Martin was elected on Thursday as the first female Secretary General of the ITU, defeating Russia’s Rashid Ismailov. The result was welcomed by the UK as a significant win for the efforts of western democracies to block attempts by authoritarian regimes to put greater government controls on the internet.
October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Violence affects women and girls everywhere – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2022.

At OSCE’s Human Dimension Conference, Eily Craig voices UK’s deep concern about rising reports of gender-based violence in Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Thank you, Mr Convenor.

Global estimates show that 1 in 3 women will experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetimes. Violence affects women and girls everywhere.

Gender equality and fighting all forms of violence against women and girls are crucial to the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security and stability and the UK commends the work of the OSCE executive structures in implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

I’d like to highlight the utility and value of two OSCE sponsored toolkits. Firstly, the toolkit for “Inclusion of Women and Effective Peace Processes”, a valuable resource for conflict mediation in all OSCE conflicts. And, secondly, the Gender and Security toolkit, which provides practical policy and programmatic guidance for governments, for regional and international organisations and for justice institutions.

I’d like to thank all those who have contributed to advancing gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the OSCE.

We know that violence against women and girls further escalates in scale and severity in conflict and crisis, and this has been seen in the detrimental impact that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had on women and girls.

We welcomed the publication of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism reports, which help expose the truth of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. We remain deeply concerned about rising reports of gender-based violence, including horrific acts of sexual violence, with most cases committed in areas controlled by Russian armed forces.

In April, the UK launched the Murad Code, a code of conduct for documenting the experiences of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in a way that upholds survivors’ rights. We are now urging governments, national authorities, international organisations and civil society to commit to taking a survivor-centred approach to such documentation – in line with the standards set out in the Code.

In November the UK are hosting an ambitious international conference that marks 10 years since the launch of the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative. We will use this to strengthen global action and deliver real change for survivors.

Mr Convenor, we know that violence against women and children is preventable. The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to working toward a future for women and children that is free from discrimination and violence.

Rigorous evaluations have shown that harmful attitudes and norms can change in less than three years – this does not have to take generations.

Thank you.

October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 51 – UK statement following Putin’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2022.

The UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French, underlines the UK’s support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity in a statement at the UN Human Rights Council.

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action stressed the importance of democracy for the enjoyment of human rights. And it states, in the clearest terms, that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives.

Yet what we have seen last week in Ukraine sought to make a mockery of these long-recognised principles. Putin’s sham referenda must be seen for what they are: a desperate attempt to justify an unprovoked and illegal land grab of sovereign Ukrainian territory. A blatant continuation of the Kremlin’s playbook, as seen before in Crimea in 2014. And a clear violation of international law.

This is not democracy, nor the will of the Ukrainian people. This is a farce – carried out with complete disregard for Ukraine’s legal and constitutional framework, and down the barrel of a gun.

Let me be clear: the United Kingdom will never accept the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as anything other than Ukrainian territory.

Mr President,

The principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, so central to the UN Charter, are principles which all of us have a responsibility to uphold. As the UN Secretary General said last week, Putin’s decision to proceed with the annexation of these regions has no legal value and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

We call on the international community to join us in unequivocally rejecting Russia’s attempts to illegally annex Ukrainian territory, and to restore the ability of all people in Ukraine to express their will in a free and democratic society.

Thank you.

October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Offenders to face mandatory testing to cut drug-fuelled crime [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 October 2022.
- new enhanced tests will detect more drugs to tackle substance abuse and cut crime
- offenders who fail tests face being recalled to prison
Thousands of offenders will face compulsory drug testing after release from prison to help keep them clean and cut drug-fuelled crime.

From today (3 October 2022), offenders supervised in probation hostels, known as Approved Premises, will be randomly tested for 14 different types of drugs as part of a £1.2 million initiative to reduce reoffending.

Offenders whose drug habits are directly linked to their crimes, such as heroin addicts, will be legally required to take a urine test up to once a week to prevent their addiction from spiralling into further crimes. All other offenders will be tested at least twice whilst being supervised in Approved Premises.

New enhanced tests will also make it easier to spot a range of drugs including heroin, cocaine and synthetic substances like Spice, with around 30,000 tests being carried out each year.

Those who test positive will be required to undergo intensive drug treatment or face being recalled to prison.

These changes were first introduced as a Private Members Bill by Rob Butler MP, who recently became Prisons and Probation Minister.

Rob Butler, Prisons and Probation Minister, said:

I’ve seen first-hand how drug addiction is too often at the heart of criminal activity and I have campaigned to change that.

This mandatory testing will act as a deterrent to anyone tempted to abuse drugs again, help cut crime and make our communities safer.

Illegal drug use costs the taxpayer nearly £22 billion each year, including NHS, prison and police costs. Clamping down on drug use will help break the cycle of crime which addiction causes.

This type of testing has been successfully rolled out in dozens of Approved Premises in England and will now be expanded across the whole estate by spring 2023.

‘Ian’, an offender currently housed in an Approved Premise, said:

Before I got clean from drugs, my life was chaotic, and I would do anything to get my next hit.

Regular testing in Approved Premises will reduce drug deaths and give people something to focus on and work towards.

At first, I was worried about being tested for fear of being recalled to prison but it was an incentive for me to stay clean, rebuild broken trust with family and loved ones and start applying for jobs so I can look for my own place.

The initiative represents one of the largest expansions of drug testing in the Probation Service and supports the government’s wider 10-year Drugs Strategy which is backed by £900 million of extra investment.

As part of this, the government is investing £120 million to roll out three pilot substance misuse problem-solving courts in the community to make offenders face their addictions. The investment will help establish 18 new drug recovery wings ensuring prisoners tackle their addiction head-on or face tough consequences – including further time in jail where necessary.

Approved Premises are used by the Probation Service to closely supervise and support offenders after their release from prison.
October 3, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Government pays tribute to Nuclear Test Veterans as UK marks 70th anniversary of first weapons test [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 October 2022.

Veterans of Britain’s nuclear testing programme have “played a crucial role in keeping Britain and our NATO Allies safe and secure”, Minister of Veterans Affairs James Heappey has said.

His comments come 70 years to the day since Britain first tested an atomic weapon. The veterans who participated in the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme, known as Op Hurricane, made the UK the third nuclear power and contributed to achieving the ultimate guarantee of UK sovereignty, and continues to keep us safe today.

To further recognise the contribution of veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests, the government is investing £450,000 into projects which will commemorate and build further understanding of the experiences of veterans who were deployed to Australasia. The Government will host an event to recognise the contribution of nuclear test veterans later this year.

Minister for Armed Forces and Veterans James Heappey said:

Veterans who supported the creation of our nuclear deterrent have played a crucial role in keeping Britain and our NATO Allies safe and secure.

Their sacrifice contributed to achieving the ultimate guarantee of UK sovereignty and they forever have this nation’s gratitude.

In the year of the seventieth anniversary of Op Hurricane, I look forward to commemorating the incredible service and efforts of our veterans.

As part of this year’s commemoration, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs will launch a £250,000 oral history project to chronicle the voices and experiences of those who supported the UK’s effort to develop a nuclear deterrent.

The aim of this will be to create a digitised oral record of the experiences of nuclear test veterans which can be preserved for posterity. The project will expand the existing historical records to focus on the lived experience of nuclear test veterans, and can be used for exhibitions and educational resources in the future. Academic and cultural institutions will be able to apply for funding through an open competition to support the oral history project, with funding available from April 2023.

Charities will also be able to bid for a portion of a seperate £200,000 fund, to support activities for nuclear test veterans, and educate the public on the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrence efforts.

The government sponsored event to mark the 70th anniversary will provide an opportunity to bring together veterans, their families, representative groups and parliamentarians to celebrate the unique and significant contributions of those involved in testing and developing our nuclear deterrent.

The Prime Minister has previously spoken about the importance of recognising the sacrifice made by veterans, including by considering the case for medallic recognition. This case is being actively considered and any decisions will be made public in due course.

October 3, 2022