Zelenskyy Launches United24
Mariupol evacuations take place under strain as the FLOTUS visits Ukrainian refugees
Day 72 (6 May)
The FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States) visits Ukrainian refugees in Romania and Slovakia as part of a four day tour, where she will also meet American troops in the region.
Zelenskyy is to speak at the G7 summit on 8 May, which is the eve of Victory Day for Russia. It is a historic day as it marked the end of the Second World War (VE Day). Germany is the G7 president this year.
Zelenskyy has proposed possible concessions to a peace deal, and that is if Russian troops returned to the status they held on 23 February 2022. Although that seems ideal, the truth is that the troops were in place before that date already and it doesn’t solve the Mariupol, Crimea, Kherson, and Donbas region issues.
With the assistance of the UN, a small group of civilians were evacuated in Mariupol’s Azovstal steelworks, and another evacuation will take place tomorrow. It is believed that the civilians were taken to a Russian occupied Bezimenne, where they hopefully will be transferred to other parts of Ukraine.
There are fears of food shortages and starvation as Ukraine is unable to export their grain supplies as there is a Russian blockade along the ports of the Black Sea. If the grain is not used, it is then wasted and will push up the price of grain around the world. Austria has received a shipment of 2,000 tonnes of grain via rail to bypass the blockade. 25 million tonnes are stuck at the ports at present, therefore, this affects the entire world.
In Kherson (occupied by the Russians) a visit from Andrey Turchak, an MP of the United Russia party stated that,"Russia is here forever. There should be no doubt about this. There will be no return to the past." This is an indication of the long-term Russian goals and why appeasement will not work, and a peace deal is unworkable without UN troops permanently stationed around the Ukrainian borders.
Zelenskyy meets with other leaders in the region (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). They know they must works together as their countries are vulnerable to invasion regardless of EU/NATO membership.
There have been false flags, where it is alleged that people in Transnistria have received texts from Ukraine claiming that the region will be attacked by their troops. Fighting the disinformation is difficult and Russia is using tactic this to discredit Ukraine.
Concerns over Moldova continue as countries advise citizens not to travel to Moldova due to the imminent threat of an invasion in Transnistria.
Biden is to sign the Ukraine Lend-Lease Act on 9 May. The bill was passed on 28 April.
Zelenskky initiates the United24 platform for those who wish to help Ukraine with a view to expanding the project to other states in the future.https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-ogolosiv-pro-zapusk-united24-globalnoyi-iniciativi-74789
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy initiated the creation of the United24 global project, which aims to unite people all over the world in their desire to help our country.
The first component of United24 is the fundraising platform of the same name in support of Ukraine. The main goal is to increase the amount of donations for the benefit of our state, to ensure the efficiency and transparency of their distribution.
"Today, the world's attention is focused on Ukraine. Our brave struggle against a much larger invader who invaded our land to destroy us, our European values, and in return is strongly repulsed, inspires people in many countries. Foreign governments are supporting Ukraine in this fight by providing military, humanitarian and political assistance. Ordinary citizens help our immigrants fleeing the war - open the doors of their homes to Ukrainians, share bread and clothes, teach our children. Citizens of different countries around the world come to the squares of their cities with blue and yellow flags to express support for Ukrainians and constantly ask: how else can we help?" the Head of State noted.
According to the President, the United24 project allows everyone to join in supporting Ukraine and provide real assistance to Ukrainian citizens affected by this unjust war.
"Everyone can make a donation in one click from any country. These can be individual conscious citizens, entrepreneurs, and large technology corporations. We are fighting the enemy every day, fighting for the values of freedom and democracy, and United24 will become the digital service that will unite the entire civilized world to support Ukraine," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
United24 aims to unite the world to support Ukraine, from governments to international foundations, from industrial giants to fashion brands, from movie and music stars to public and political figures, and citizens from around the world.
The task of the United24 fundraising platform is to become the main window for collecting charitable donations in support of our state. Assistance will be distributed in three areas: defense and demining, humanitarian and medical assistance, and reconstruction of Ukraine.
All funds will be directed to the accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine assigned to the relevant ministries. Fundraising reports will be provided by the NBU every 24 hours. The ministries will report on the allocation and distribution of funds once a week.
The Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Infrastructure are responsible for the effective use of donations. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov has been appointed responsible for United24's activities by the government.
Deloitte Ukraine, a consulting and auditing company that is part of the international Deloitte network, is joining the United24 platform. One of the world leaders in the industry, one of the "big four" audit companies, will quarterly review the consolidated report of all ministries.
The initiative’s team will provide constant coverage of reporting both on the United24 platform and on the official pages of the initiative on social networks.
Other projects and programs will soon be added to the United24 fundraising platform.
Once more, thanks again to EL!!! Two things stood out for me, Ukraine, known as the bread basket of Europe, will not be able to export as much grain as the country would like causing shortages elsewhere plus price gouging. The second thing, Putin may not "totally" agree with the comment made by the MP of the United Russia Party, which included, "There will be no return to the past". Putin's goal being a return to the past glory of the USSR.
Thank you for reporting this EL. It is much appreciated. Our delivery system is still going strong but some have dropped out due to the cost of fuel. Several people have offered money but we can't accept it so at least there will be an online facility soon for financial donations.
I am having a week off from delivering goods to the lorry centre as I am so tired. We have managed to persuade two local firms to lend their larger vans to go around the collection points and take the goods to the main centre where the lorries will take it straight to Ukraine. To say I am knackered is an understatement but it is the most worthwhile thing I think I have ever done.
Now to catch up on all the emails!!!
Please keep going with the updates - they are so very much appreciated. Don't forget the minirolls!