Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has caused environmental damage to Ukraine amounting to over €56 billion. Ukraine will seek compensation from the aggressor country for these losses. This was emphasized by the head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, during a meeting of the International Working Group on the environmental consequences of the war.
Opening the event, Yermak emphasized that Ukraine entered the New Year under massive shelling from Russia, resulting in deteriorating air quality in Kyiv.
"In this terrible, unprovoked, and very cruel war, our people, civilians, and military continue to die, and the environment suffers. All these attacks cause enormous damage. For example, after the last attack, the air quality in Kyiv significantly worsened due to the high concentration of combustion products, chemicals, and dust," said Yermak.
According to him, the approximate estimate of environmental damage exceeds €56 billion, with over 3,300 documented legal cases.
He stated that Ukraine is determined to be one of the first countries globally to hold the aggressor accountable specifically for the environmental damage inflicted. The head of the President's Office thanked the International Working Group for creating the Environmental Protection Agreement for Ukraine.
"This document should serve as a guide to combating the negative impact of the war on nature. Not only for Ukraine but for the world," emphasized Yermak.
He also invited representatives of the International Working Group to Ukraine for the public presentation of the agreement and its official submission to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"We face a challenging task - to implement the agreement in Ukraine and abroad. We will be very grateful for your help and support. I am pleased to meet with you in Kyiv to discuss further plans for cooperation," said Yermak.
