PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine is an integral part of Europe and the democratic world and deserves to be at the center of the European security system – Head of the President’s Office
The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 4 April 2022.
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak is convinced that today no one has any doubts that the Ukrainian state is a full-fledged part of Europe and deserves to be at the center of an effective European security system. He said this in an interview for Natalia Moseichuk on 1+1 TV channel.
“I believe that there is no adequate person who is not convinced that Ukraine is part of Europe, a democratic world and today is actually a fortress, which protects not only itself but all the values of the democratic world,” said Andriy Yermak.
He noted that today tens of thousands of people take to the streets of Berlin, Paris and other cities in Europe and the world having already made their choice regarding their attitude towards our country.
The Head of the President’s Office is convinced that 14 years ago at the NATO summit in Bucharest, a very big historical mistake was made when specific Allied countries and specific leaders started a game with Russia.
“Then it was possible to make a historic decision that could have prevented this heinous war, but it did not happen,” he said.
Andriy Yermak is convinced that today Ukraine, which has been directly holding back one of the world’s largest armies for more than a month, could strengthen any alliance.
“But we need it today – not tomorrow. There is no time. Otherwise we will build a new system. Today we are not just knocking on the door. Today we simply demand, we deserve it – to be at the center of the security system of our region, Europe,” said the Head of the President’s Office.
He noted that now the priority for Ukraine is to end the war and create a new security system in the world, because the effectiveness of the existing one is doubted.
Andriy Yermak noted that Ukraine will never consider any compromises concerning independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“It is unacceptable for us. And there is a position of the state that today Ukraine must return to internationally recognized borders,” he said.
According to the Head of the President’s Office, there are issues that need to be resolved in the negotiations now: the withdrawal of Russian troops and the return to the situation as of February 23, 2022, so that these are truly full-fledged talks – not under the gun.
At the same time, the issues with the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea also need to be resolved.
“These are separate issues that should also be the subject of negotiations today, and they are the subject of negotiations,” Andriy Yermak said.
