President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked businessman Richard Branson and representatives of world business for supporting the Ukrainian state.
“Grateful to Richard Branson and the global business community for supporting Ukraine. Innovative businessmen best understand the key vectors of human development. Hence, their call to unite and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, in particular, by imposing sanctions on the aggressor, is crucial,” Zelensky said on Twitter last week.
A day earlier, Branson said that in Twitter that “for business leaders, this is the moment to come together and stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty,” and also published a link to his article “My thoughts on Ukraine and Russia” in which he repeated this thesis. “For business leaders, this is the moment to come together and stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Even if it comes at a price, all of us should send a clear message that unilateral aggression is always unacceptable and that the global business community will support the full range of sanctions against any nation that seeks to violate the sovereignty of another,” he said.
The businessman also said in the article that “Business leaders all over the world have been watching the build-up of Russian troops and equipment at the Ukrainian border with great concern” and that any war between Russia and Ukraine will have devastating and terrible consequences, primarily for the civilian population on both sides, and further isolates Russia.
“But never in recent years has there been a greater risk of an all-out war on European soil – a war that, like so many before it, does not serve a just or legitimate objective. (It is hard for any of us to hide our exasperation at this point. In 2022, what on earth is one country doing amassing tanks at another country’s borders?” Branson said.
Ukraine will spend at least $4-5 billion to stabilize the economic situation, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“To stabilize our economy, we will spend about $4-5 billion. I do not count on a smaller figure, this is the amount we need,” Zelensky said at a briefing with foreign media representatives in Kyiv on Friday.
The President said that the West, providing Ukraine with funding and assistance, gives an appropriate signal of support for the country.
“But the question is still not in the amount, but in the fact that they believe in the economy of Ukraine and send the appropriate signals,” Zelensky said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen issues of energy security and the development of the security situation around Ukraine, according to the presidential website.
“The head of state informed the interlocutor about the development of the security situation along the borders of Ukraine and in Donbas. The president thanked the head of the European Commission for the consistent support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state, as well as her clear position on the need to tighten EU sanctions in the event of an escalation of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The leaders agreed with the need to continue joint coordinated efforts to prevent the escalation of the conflict,” the President’s Office said on its website.
Zelensky and von der Leyen reportedly discussed challenges for European energy security.
The sides also discussed preparations for holding an international energy business forum in Ukraine, which was agreed upon in November.
The head of state drew attention to the threats to Ukraine and all of Europe that the possible launch of Nord Stream 2 would create. The interlocutors coordinated steps aimed at integrating the unified energy system of Ukraine into the European ENTSO-E network.
Zelensky thanked von der Leyen for the financial support to Ukraine from the European Union and discussed areas for further cooperation.
In addition, the sides paid special attention to the prospects for the liberalization of road freight transport. Zelensky said the conclusion of an agreement on the liberalization of transportation services will help ensure further growth in trade between Ukraine and the EU.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky by decree put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to impose personal economic sanctions against Russian enterprises and organizations, the presidential press service said. The decision to impose sanctions against Russian enterprises, companies, organizations was made by the NSDC on December 30, 2021. Zelensky on January 21, by decree No.19, put into effect the NSDC decision.
As noted, some 24 enterprises fell under the sanctions. They have the same restrictions. In particular, this is the freezing of assets, the restriction of trade operations, the prevention of the withdrawal of capital from Ukraine, suspension of the fulfillment of economic and financial obligations, cancellation or suspension of licenses and permits, the receipt (availability) of which is a condition for the implementation of a certain type of activity.
The list included such enterprises as JSC Lenpromtransproekt, JSC Insurance Business Group, Gas JSC Industry Insurance Company, JSC Grand Service Express Transport Company, JSC Giproshakht, JSC Russian Institute of Urban Planning and Investment Development “Giprogor,” COOP HIMMELB(L)AU Wolf D. Prix & Partner ZT GmbH, ALARM911 Neva LLC, Geozemstroy LLC, Krymsetenergoproekt LLC, Research Institute of Diagnostics LLC, Research Institute of Perspective Urban Planning LLC, Nivad LLC, SIRIUS Project LLC, Transproekt LLC, Tyus Management Group LLC, Transstroy Holding Company LLC, Federal Target Program”Modernization of the Russian Transport System of Russia,” the Federal State Enterprise “Departmental storage of railway transport of the Russian Federation,” Federal State Enterprise “Departmental Security Department of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation,” Fund for Social and Cultural Projects “National Cultural Heritage,” Autonomous NGO for the Promotion of Activities “Russian Seasons,” State Autonomous Institution of the City of Sevastopol “Development Center tourism.”
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Anatoliy Petrenko Ambassador of Ukraine to Saudi Arabia.
“Appoint Anatoliy Hryhorovych Petrenko Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said the text of Decree No.15/2022 of January 21, published on the President’s website.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Ukrainian football player and coach Andriy Shevchenko, fired from the Italian football club Genoa, to work in Ukraine.
“Andriy Mykolayovych, Sheva. Not only our whole country, but the whole of Europe knows what kind of game a team under your leadership is capable of. We believe that you will not come apart, we know that you will become even better! And most importantly. You are most loved in Ukraine. Therefore, go back to work at home,” Zelensky wrote on his Facebook page.
The President noted that “let it be only the first defeat at the beginning of a great career of a great coach.”
Earlier it was reported that the Italian football club Genoa reported on the dismissal of ex-coach of Ukraine’s national football team Andriy Shevchenko.
