PRESS RELEASE : Andriy Yermak following the “Kyiv Initiative” – Ukraine’s victory will be our joint victory with partners

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

Regular holding of the “Kyiv Initiative” will contribute to effective coordination of efforts of neighboring partner countries to help Ukraine protect freedom, independence and security in Europe. This was said by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak during a conversation with media representatives following the “Kyiv Initiative” event.

“Today’s meeting is dedicated to the format that we called the “Kyiv Initiative”. The goal we set and achieved is the coordination of our efforts. We talked about many things today. First of all, it is security. We informed our colleagues about the situation at the front, about what is necessary for our success to be even greater. We talked about the continuation of sanctions pressure. We talked about future security guarantees for Ukraine,” said Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the President’s Office highly evaluated the results of the first meeting. According to him, an agreement was reached to hold meetings of the initiative every month, in particular in the format of a video conference. He expressed belief that the circle of participants of this format will expand – other partners of Ukraine will join it.

“I think it is critically important today for all our partners to be in the same information field, to get all the latest news directly from us, so that we can coordinate our efforts. As I said, our victory will be a joint victory with our partners, with our neighbors, we are sure of that,” Andriy Yermak said.

According to him, during today’s meeting, among other things, the issue of providing security guarantees to Ukraine was discussed.

“I am glad that our partners are very interested in familiarization, and some are also willing to be guarantors of our security,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

As Andriy Yermak reported, the first recommendations from the Group on International Security Guarantees for Ukraine, which he chairs together with former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, should appear shortly.

“We are currently working on this document. I informed our colleagues about it today, they are also waiting with interest for this very powerful document,” he added.

Secretary of State, Head of the International Policy Bureau at the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland Jakub Kumoch said: “Your victory will be our victory. We always feel like a small part of your great victory during our visits to Kyiv. Today, Ukrainian women and men protect Europe from totalitarianism and tyranny. Thank you very much for that. And our states will help the Ukrainian people until victory.”

Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the Republic of Lithuania Asta Skaisgirytė emphasized that her state strongly supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

“We sincerely believe in your victory,” she said.

Director of the Diplomatic Directorate of the Office of the President of Hungary Krzysztof Altus, for his part, noted that humanitarian aspects are also extremely important.

“Our hearts are always open to our Ukrainian friends. We will support all refugees who come to our country, but we will also do our best to help those who want to return to Ukraine,” he assured.

Advisor to the Romanian President on European Affairs (and Foreign Policy Affairs) Luminiţa -Teodora Odobescu thanked for the invitation to join this initiative and expressed complete solidarity with Ukraine.

Foreign Affairs Adviser to the President of Latvia Solveiga Silkalna emphasized that her country will stand with Ukraine until all the lands of our state are liberated from the occupiers.

Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia Liis Lipre-Järma reaffirmed that the Estonian government supports the people of Ukraine in their struggle for freedom.

“Estonia supports you in every way on the path to Europe. And, of course, military aid is the number one priority,” Liis Lipre-Järma said.

Adviser to the President of Estonia Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk assured that her country will help Ukraine until victory.

Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the Slovak Republic Jana Kobzová noted the importance of discussing the security situation in such a circle.

“You are defending not only your territories and your people, but also freedom in Europe. We are hopeful to continue our cooperation,” she said.