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  • PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – An effective model of territorial defense is a reliable rear for the army, and together they form the basis of a strong Ukraine

    PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – An effective model of territorial defense is a reliable rear for the army, and together they form the basis of a strong Ukraine

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 February 2022.

    To build an effective model of territorial defense and national resistance, there must be full cooperation between the authorities at all levels and an understanding of their area of responsibility. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a meeting of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Kharkiv.

    The Head of State stressed that in the issue of national security there is no room for politics, intrigue, speculation and the chaos they can create.

    “Every day, and even more so now, there must be full cooperation between the authorities at all levels and a full understanding of their area of responsibility – from RSA and DSA, regional and district councils and other local government bodies to build a very effective model of territorial defense and national resistance. This is a reliable rear for a professional and well-equipped army, which together form the basis of our state, a strong state,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his opening speech at the meeting of the Presidium of the Congress.

    The President noted that the organization of national resistance and territorial defense in our country takes place under the auspices and direct leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

    “All leaders on the ground must clearly understand: there are things that should be implemented exclusively by the military, only by professionals. It is good to help them, but sometimes it is much better not to hinder them, h e said.

    Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak informed the participants of the meeting of the Presidium of the Congress about the results of the meeting of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy format. He said that during the talks, unconditional support was expressed by all parties for a comprehensive ceasefire in Donbas.

    The Head of the Office of the President also noted that the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On the Fundamentals of National Resistance” is an extremely important and topical issue. “I think we all already understand that only a strong army and security system at different levels will ensure the overall security of our country,” he said.

    Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi told members of the Presidium of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities about the territorial defense management system, which consists of the command, 4 regional offices, 29 brigades and 150 battalions. In addition, there are still voluntary formations of territorial communities.

    “This is a force that can restrain the enemy and prevent them from thinking about setting foot on our land. After all, the price for it will be huge. The purpose of all this is to resist in every city, every village, on every street and in every house,” Valerii Zaluzhnyi stressed.

    For his part, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the heads of regional state administrations and local authorities in the regions where territorial defense units are being recruited on schedule. At the same time, the Head of State appealed to the leadership of Kyiv and the Kyiv region, Mariupol, Odesa, Rivne, where the worst situation is, so that everything necessary is done in the coming weeks.

    The President also called on Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko to cooperate with all heads of regional state administrations, mayors and district heads so that the information policy is the same everywhere in the country. “So that people understand exactly what’s what, understand the current state of preparation in a particular area,” he said.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ihor Zhovkva had a phone conversation with the diplomatic adviser to the Prime Minister of Denmark

    PRESS RELEASE : Ihor Zhovkva had a phone conversation with the diplomatic adviser to the Prime Minister of Denmark

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 February 2022.

    Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva had a phone conversation with Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark.

    Ihor Zhovkva informed the interlocutor in detail about the current security situation in Donbas, in the temporarily occupied Crimea, as well as along the state border of Ukraine. He thanked the Danish side for its solidarity in supporting our country both bilaterally and within the EU and NATO.

    The diplomatic advisers discussed the implementation of Ukraine’s European integration strategy. Ihor Zhovkva noted the importance of fixing the European perspective of our state, and also expressed hope for Copenhagen’s support to this ambitious idea. An exchange of views took place on relevant initiatives in support of Ukraine within the institutions of the European Union.

    Particular attention was paid to the forthcoming NATO Summit in Madrid in June 2022, especially in the context of invitation for Ukraine to participate in the event, as well as its expected results.

    The interlocutors touched upon the issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of energy security, in particular in the context of our country’s practical steps towards joining the European continental energy network ENTSO-E. In this regard, the effective work of the Ukrainian-Danish Energy Center in Kyiv was also noted.

    At the end of the conversation, Ihor Zhovkva and Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Denmark, which will be celebrated on February 12, 2022. Mutual readiness for further comprehensive development of bilateral cooperation was confirmed.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian party hopes to unblock TCG work and advance in humanitarian issues – Andriy Yermak

    PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian party hopes to unblock TCG work and advance in humanitarian issues – Andriy Yermak

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 February 2022.

    Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak hopes to unblock humanitarian issues at the next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group for the Peaceful Settlement of the Situation in the East of Ukraine. He said this at a briefing in Berlin after a meeting of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy format.

    “We hope that the next meeting of the TCG will unblock humanitarian issues – the release of detainees, the opening of checkpoints, which have been prepared for more than a year by the Ukrainian side,” said Andriy Yermak.

    According to him, it is also very important that all participants of the meeting of advisers in the Normandy format expressed their full commitment to a comprehensive ceasefire in Donbas.

    The Head of the President’s Office thanked the German side for organizing these talks. He noted that the next meeting of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy Four is to take place shortly.

    “The Ukrainian party is ready for a constructive dialogue,” Andriy Yermak stressed.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Negotiations in Berlin at the level of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy Four ended

    PRESS RELEASE : Negotiations in Berlin at the level of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy Four ended

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 11 February 2022.

    Negotiations in Berlin at the level of political advisers to the leaders of the countries participating in the Normandy format ended. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak took part in them.

    This has been the second meeting since the beginning of this year. The talks between representatives of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia lasted more than nine hours.

    During the negotiations, Andriy Yermak stressed that Ukraine is consistently committed to a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict. Hence, the Ukrainian party will continue to take measures to intensify the work of all existing negotiation formats in order to facilitate the peace process.

    All parties reaffirmed their willingness to continue negotiations in the Normandy format, and also agreed on the necessity to unblock the work of the Trilateral Contact Group.

  • PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine had a phone conversation with the President of Poland

    PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine had a phone conversation with the President of Poland

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 10 February 2022.

    President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda.

    The Ukrainian President thanked Poland for its concrete support in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and resilience.

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the important role of the Polish chairmanship in the OSCE in terms of ensuring a peaceful settlement in Donbas and regional security in Europe.

    The parties discussed further cooperation within the new regional format Ukraine – Poland – Great Britain.

    The interlocutors also paid attention to the implementation of the main foreign policy priorities of our country – the course of accession to the European Union and NATO.

    The leaders of Ukraine and Poland praised the achievement of agreements on permits for international cargo transportation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with the Secretary General of NATO

    PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with the Secretary General of NATO

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 10 February 2022.

    President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

    The interlocutors exchanged relevant information on diplomatic measures taken by Ukraine and the Alliance in response to threats from Russia.

    The President thanked for the consolidated position of NATO member states on the need for immediate de-escalation of the situation by Russia.

    He commended the Alliance’s continued commitment to an open door policy, as well as its principled support for the right of all countries to freely choose security alliances and determine their foreign policy.

    In addition, the President and the Secretary General discussed the modalities of Ukraine’s participation in the NATO Summit in Madrid in June 2022 and its expected results.

  • PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine met with the Prime Minister of Lithuania

    PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine met with the Prime Minister of Lithuania

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 10 February 2022.

    President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė.

    The Head of State informed the interlocutor about the current security situation along the borders and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. He also spoke about the practical steps of our state aimed at intensifying the negotiation process within the Normandy format and ensuring its effectiveness.

    “It is very important that you came to support Ukraine today, during the tense situation on the borders of our country, on the borders with Europe, on the borders with Russia, on touch lines with the temporarily occupied territories of our state. We consider our relations with the Republic of Lithuania special at the level of presidents, prime ministers, states and nations. We feel this not only during the escalation period, but all the time,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

    Separately, the President noted Lithuania’s intention to preserve and strengthen its diplomatic mission in Ukraine.

    The interlocutors discussed the implementation of our country’s strategic course towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted Lithuania’s continued support for Ukraine’s movement to the European Union and praised Vilnius’ practical efforts to recognize our country’s European perspective.

    The President of Ukraine coordinated positions with the Prime Minister of Lithuania in the context of preparations for the forthcoming NATO Summit in Madrid in June 2022.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – Ukraine is wise and does not react to provocations, which is very important for Ukrainians, Europeans and Russians

    PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – Ukraine is wise and does not react to provocations, which is very important for Ukrainians, Europeans and Russians

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

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that the balanced and wise position of our state in responding to the deteriorating security situation on the borders and the likely escalation by the Russian Federation is important for the people of Ukraine, the people of European countries and even Russia.

    “Ukraine is very patient, because that’s the wisdom. I think this is important not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole of Europe. And it is very important for the Russians, because the escalation by the other side depends on our patience,” the Ukrainian President said, answering journalists’ questions after talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Kyiv.

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainians are defending their country because they are on their own land.

    “Our patience influences provocations – when we do not respond, but behave decently,” said the President.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Monkeypox vaccines to be piloted in smaller but equally effective doses

    PRESS RELEASE : Monkeypox vaccines to be piloted in smaller but equally effective doses

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 22 August 2022.

    Three NHS sites are set to begin a pilot offering eligible patients smaller but equally effective doses of the vaccine used for the UK’s monkeypox outbreak, stretching existing supplies to protect more people.

    The safe and clinically-approved approach, known as ‘fractional dosing’, has been commonly used in other worldwide outbreaks when vaccine supplies are constrained. It will be introduced in one sexual health clinic in Manchester from today (Monday), and a further 2 in London shortly.

    Fractional dosing could maximise the number of doses that can be administered without compromising protection, with clinical study results showing it provides a near-identical immune response in patients.

    Under the approach, eligible people aged 18 and over will be offered a 0.1ml dose of the smallpox Jynneos vaccine, instead of the 0.5ml dose that is typically administered. This will potentially enable up to a 5-fold increase in the number of people that can be offered vaccination.

    Fractional dosing has recently been authorised in the US by the Federal Drug Administration for its own monkeypox response. The European Medicines Agency Emergency Task Force has also approved the approach.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reviewed the evidence in detail alongside the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and is now working with NHS England to test the feasibility of the approach at pilot clinics in Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, and Locala Health and Wellbeing in Greater Manchester.

    In a letter to Directors of Public Health, UKHSA chief executive Professor Dame Jenny Harries has confirmed the details of the pilot, with data gathered by the clinics used to inform planning for possible wider use when more doses of the vaccine arrive in the UK.

    Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said:

    “Global supplies of the smallpox vaccine used to combat monkeypox are limited but we acted early to ensure the UK obtained the maximum number of doses available.

    Adopting this tried and tested technique will help to maximise the reach of our remaining stock, including the 100,000 doses due to arrive in the country next month, potentially enabling us to offer protection for many more thousands of people.

    We will continue to remain agile in our response to the monkeypox outbreak and will adapt our approach as new science and advice becomes available.”

    Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Chair of the JCVI, said:

    “The use of fractional dosing will allow more people to be vaccinated sooner by optimising use of the constrained vaccine supply, and this approach is expected to reduce the spread of monkeypox.

    Dosing in this way has been successfully used in outbreaks of other viral diseases around the world and existing data we have reviewed indicates this should not compromise protection.”

    Dr Claire Dewsnap, President of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), said:

    BASHH absolutely supports the UKHSA led fractional dosing pilots, assessing feasibility in UK sexual health clinics. If acceptable, this would offer us the opportunity to roll out vaccine to those eligible much faster and would address the issues of short supply of vaccine across the world.

    Dr Will Nutland, Honorary Assistant Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a co-founder of PrEPster, said:

    “Fractional dosing provides the potential for many more people to receive vaccination to protect against monkeypox. Given the current global shortage of vaccine supply, this decision is pragmatic and welcome.

    Communities we are engaging with are keen to receive vaccination as soon as possible, and the pilots provide the opportunity to understand the acceptability and feasibility of providing vaccination this way.

    Evidence shows that fractional dosing, when correctly administered, is as effective as the vaccination method currently in use. We must now collectively move to ensure that those who are given the opportunity to receive vaccination are fully informed and are confident to come forward when invited.”

    In addition to piloting the fractional dosing approach, UKHSA has determined that, due to the limited vaccine supply at this time, the post-exposure offer of vaccination should be reserved for those close contacts who are at highest risk of severe illness. The JCVI supports this approach.

    This change does not affect the eligibility for the wider vaccination programme (pre-exposure offer) but means that post-exposure vaccines will be prioritised for people with immunosuppression, children under the age of 5 years and pregnant women.

    These individuals will continue to be offered a 0.5ml dose of the vaccine as we await further clinical data on fractional dosing for these groups.

    UKHSA published its latest technical briefing on the outbreak on Friday.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Research shows Londoners are worst affected by soaring inflation

    PRESS RELEASE : Research shows Londoners are worst affected by soaring inflation

    The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 22 August 2022.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has warned that low paid Londoners are being hit harder by the cost of living crisis than other parts of the UK, as new City Hall research suggests that London is experiencing faster underlying inflation in some areas.

    The UK’s rate of inflation jumped to 10.1 per cent in July, the first time it has registered a double-digit annual increase in more than four decades, and Bank of England projections point to inflation accelerating further later this year. However, over the last six months, underlying inflation for local prices in London has consistently been found to track 1.5 percentage points higher than the national figure.

    Rising local food costs is one of the key pressures pushing the capital’s underlying inflation above the national average. This will affect Londoners on the lowest incomes the hardest as they spend a larger proportion of their income on food.

    London rental prices are also a major factor: the Rightmove Rental Price Tracker (1) indicates asking rents for new rentals in London are growing faster than anywhere else in the UK, up as much as 15.8 per cent annually in the last three months. This inflationary pressure will only grow as more people renew or move out of contracts that may have been kept at a lower price for longer due to the pandemic.

    However, Londoners spend less on energy compared to their counterparts in the rest of the UK due to warmer weather and smaller property sizes due to high housing costs, though they are of course still severely affected by inflation.

    Meanwhile, London continues to see an uneven pattern of pay growth, with mostly high-paying jobs seeing the fastest wage growth, and lower-paying sectors seeing slower growth. Whilst sectors such as finance, ICT and science and technology have seen median pay grow by more than 17 per cent in London since 2019, sectors with low median pay have seen much smaller pay rises, which will likely be rendered as pay cuts in real terms when inflation is accounted for (Table 1).

    Research from YouGov published last week (2) found 20 per cent of lower-income Londoners have regularly or occasionally gone without food or essential items or relied on outside support in the last six months. The number of Londoners being hit by the rising cost of living is also going up every month, with nearly a third saying they are ‘just about managing’ and almost one in five ‘financially struggling’.

    Those being hit the hardest and most likely to say they are financially struggling are Asian and Black Londoners, those with an income of less than £20,000, renters and Deaf and Disabled Londoners.

    Sadiq has suggested a range of measures the Government should implement now to ease the cost of living crisis for Londoners.

    These include:

    The introduction of an energy ‘Lifeline Tariff’ for the most vulnerable Londoners, providing the minimum energy needed for a household to function for free, with any charges kicking in only once a minimum use threshold had been met. This would be a major step towards helping ensure people would not need to choose between heating and eating this winter.

    Introducing a two-year rent freeze for London’s 2.4m private renters, which would act as a first step towards devolving full rent control powers to cool London’s overheated private rental sector. City Hall analysis shows a rent freeze in the capital over two years would save renters an average of £2,988.

    Extending the provision of healthy free school meals to all primary school children during term-time with free meal vouchers available for those in most need during the school holidays. As well as helping all families with the cost of living, research shows that making free school meals universal helps reduce stigma and therefore boosts take up among families who need them most.
    Restoring the £20 Universal Credit uplift, which Ministers removed in September last year, pushing 130,000 more Londoners into poverty. The Mayor is also calling for all benefits to be raised in line with inflation and all caps to be removed to help cut poverty in London and across the UK.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “This new report shows in black and white that millions of low paid Londoners are living on the front line of the cost of living crisis.

    “I’m doing all I can to support Londoners, but we need the Government to step up. This must include doing more on energy bills to ensure no one has to make the choice this winter of heating their home or eating, increasing benefits in line with inflation, and giving me the power to implement rent controls in London.

    “Whoever becomes the next Prime Minister must make tackling the cost of living for Londoners – and people across the country – their top priority.”