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Volodymyr Zelenskyy discusses Ukraine’s defense needs, situation in the Middle East with Mark Rutte
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Official website
30 October 2023 - 17:27
https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/volodimir-zelenskij-obgovoriv-iz-markom-ryutte-oboronni-potr-86705
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a video call with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte.
The Head of State expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of Ukraine by the Netherlands and the timely fulfillment of previously reached agreements. This includes providing additional missiles for the Patriot air defense systems, preparations for the F-16 transfer, patrol boats, and long-term financial assistance to Ukraine.
The interlocutors discussed in detail the situation on the front lines. Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed on the defense actions in Avdiyivka in Donbas, offensive operations near Bahmut, and in the south of our country. He also touched upon the preparation of Ukraine’s energy system for the winter period.
The Head of State informed about the continuation of the grain corridor in the Black Sea and Ukraine’s defense needs to protect people, critical infrastructure, and the country’s port facilities.
“It is important to preserve our infrastructure, the grain corridor. We are grateful for your support – support of your people, your team, and, of course, for the military support. This is very important. Thank you also for the decision regarding the aircraft. They will help us control the sky,” the President of Ukraine said.
The parties noted the successful conduct of the third advisors’ meeting in Malta on the implementation of the key principles of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the participation of the Netherlands’ representative in this event.
The President also thanked for the initiation of bilateral negotiations on security guarantees in accordance with the Joint Declaration of support for Ukraine. He said that the Netherlands became the first non-G7 country that started such negotiations.
The Head of State also called on the EU to speed up work on the 12th package of sanctions against Russia and to develop an effective mechanism for directing the earnings from frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of our country.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Rutte also discussed the situation in the Middle East, with a particular focus on assistance to citizens of Ukraine and the Netherlands who are in need.
The President said that it is in the interest of the entire world to prevent further escalation and the outbreak of a larger war. He emphasized that Ukraine is ready to work together with its partners to put an end to terror and protect civilian lives.
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Ministry of Social Policy strengthens cooperation with Council of Europe in strategic social areas
Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine
30 October 2023 18:25
https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/minsotspolityky-posylyt-spivpratsiu-z-radoiu-ievropy-v-stratehichnykh-napriamkakh-sotsialnoi-sfery
The Ministry of Social Policy is a beneficiary of the Council of Europe’s Enhanced Social Protection in Ukraine project, which aims to attain that vulnerable groups, including war-affected populations in Ukraine, enjoy an improved level of social rights and social protection.
Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy, discussed key areas of cooperation within the project during a meeting with Maciej Janczak, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine. The meeting was also attended by Iryna Postolovska, Deputy Minister of Social Policy for European Integration, Yuliia Kokoiachuk, Head of the Patronage Service Unit at the Ministry of Social Policy, Siuzanna Mnatsakanian, Senior Project Officer, and Iryna Ostapa, Project Officer, Enhanced Social Protection in Ukraine project.
“All projects supported by the Council of Europe are strategic for us. They are not just technical, but change the philosophy of social relations. This includes a radical reformatting of the approach to the employment of people with disabilities. Our second challenge is the preparation of a new Social Code, which requires detailed and balanced work,” said Oksana Zholnovych.
Among other strategic priorities of the Ministry of Social Policy, the head of the Ministry mentioned the following:
changing the approach to the pension system;
• supporting families in difficult circumstances;
• developing new social services, including psychosocial support, social rehabilitation of veterans’ families, services for people with disabilities and victims of violence;
• establishing a national social services purchaser, procurement mechanisms and service delivery standards;
• expanding the market for social services and engaging the public sector;
• developing family-based forms of parenting and strengthening the protection of children’s rights, deinstitutionalization;
• supporting the elderly and people with disabilities and their integration into the labor market.