Environmental consequences of war: Zelensky meets with members of international group

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with members of the International Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of War.

The head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Andriy Yermak, wrote this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"Today, the President met with members of the International Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of War, which will work to assess the consequences of war for the environment - both existing and future; to develop recommendations for punishing the aggressor state for environmental crimes," the post reads.

Yermak noted that Russia must be held accountable for blowing up the Kakhovka HPP and ecocide it caused.

Among the meeting participants were former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala, President of Ireland in 1990-1997 Mary Robinson and environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

Zelensky stated that the consequences of the blowing up of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam faced by the residents of Kherson region are catastrophic. This Russian crime also caused significant damage to the agricultural sector and biodiversity of the region.

The President noted the importance of the initiatives of the representatives of the International Working Group on Environmental Crimes of Russia and emphasized that the aggressor must be brought to justice for the crime of ecocide in Ukraine.

According to the co-chair of the International Working Group, Margot Wallström, it is important to ensure the widest possible global support for the main activities of the International Working Group. In particular, it is about assessing the environmental damage caused by Russian aggression.

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg thanked for the invitation and emphasized that she would engage representatives of environmental NGOs in a dialogue on the main tasks of the International Working Group and draw attention to the environmental consequences of the war.

Vice-President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the gravity of crimes against the environment throughout the war; in Ukrainian law, this is clearly ecocide. The issue of responsibility for these crimes must be addressed both at the national and international level, she stressed.

The meeting was also attended by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Rostyslav Shurma, and Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Daria Zarivna.

Photo: President’s Office