We will withstand it and win
Saturday, February 26, 2022
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FC Shakhtar CEO speaks about the current situation in Ukraine
- Mr Palkin, many foreign media are asking for comments: what is the situation in the club, what is happening?
- The country is at war. Russia has carried out a massive invasion of Ukraine. People get killed. There are no words to describe what is happening. The global community must stop this as soon as possible. I call upon the clubs we played – those are the majority of Europe’s top teams, as well as UEFA and tens of millions of fans, to provide maximum support to Ukraine at their level. This war concerns every European these days. Only by joining forces can we defeat this madness. I believe that together we will withstand it and win. I experienced a lot of bright moments with Shakhtar, but for me personally, the biggest victory in my life will be winning this war for Ukraine’s independence.
Regarding the situation in the club. I am in Kyiv now. Most of the players and coaches with their families are in Kyiv. We are trying to find options to evacuate our foreigners and their families. As far as I know, Solomon and Tete are outside of Ukraine already.
The club staff stay at their homes, in bomb shelters, basements, down in the tube stations. Just there where it's safer. Whenever possible, they try to evacuate their families.
At the moment, according to the data available, there are no casualties among the staff and their families. We try to maintain the internal communication, exchange information, support each other.
All our thoughts today are about the end of this crazy war. About the Ukrainian soldiers, about those who defend our country and its right to sovereignty and independence. I believe that together we will win!
- The country is at war. Russia has carried out a massive invasion of Ukraine. People get killed. There are no words to describe what is happening. The global community must stop this as soon as possible. I call upon the clubs we played – those are the majority of Europe’s top teams, as well as UEFA and tens of millions of fans, to provide maximum support to Ukraine at their level. This war concerns every European these days. Only by joining forces can we defeat this madness. I believe that together we will withstand it and win. I experienced a lot of bright moments with Shakhtar, but for me personally, the biggest victory in my life will be winning this war for Ukraine’s independence.
Regarding the situation in the club. I am in Kyiv now. Most of the players and coaches with their families are in Kyiv. We are trying to find options to evacuate our foreigners and their families. As far as I know, Solomon and Tete are outside of Ukraine already.
The club staff stay at their homes, in bomb shelters, basements, down in the tube stations. Just there where it's safer. Whenever possible, they try to evacuate their families.
At the moment, according to the data available, there are no casualties among the staff and their families. We try to maintain the internal communication, exchange information, support each other.
All our thoughts today are about the end of this crazy war. About the Ukrainian soldiers, about those who defend our country and its right to sovereignty and independence. I believe that together we will win!