I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Briefly about this day.
I have just spoken with the President of Finland. We had a very cordial conversation. I thanked him for supporting Ukraine, our people, and our defense. I mentioned how much Finland has done for its own security and for the security of the whole of Europe – historic things indeed. We have meaningful bilateral cooperation, the most extensive one since Ukraine gained its independence. We also emphasized how important it is for our states and all our partners to remain principled in their relations in European and Euro-Atlantic structures with regard to our region, the eastern flank of Europe.
I had a meeting with Anders Fogh Rasmussen – we are working together on a new security architecture that Ukraine, the whole of Europe, and the entire Euro-Atlantic region need. Mr. Rasmussen, with his experience as NATO Secretary General, helped Ukraine with the security commitment system: its philosophy and possible framework were developed in an expert group headed by Rasmussen and Andriy Yermak.
We now have a community of 32 states that have joined the G7 Declaration on security commitments, as well as the first bilateral agreement – with the UK. There will also be new agreements. We are now finalizing the text of several documents. This work is very important.
And now Mr. Rasmussen has outlined plans to establish a new international task force to address the issue of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. Bringing our country closer to full membership in NATO is an unchanging priority. We are gradually fulfilling it.
Today, I also held a meeting with the Ministry of Strategic Industries. Oleksandr Kamyshin reported on the results in the production of drones and ammunition. We are ramping up production. It is very important that we are adding new positions and the adoption of new weapon models is underway. Domestic production of drones, shells, and military vehicles is literally the production of our freedom, the freedom of Ukrainians and Ukraine. Because in such conditions of a full-scale war, it is force that is the basis of freedom. And I am grateful to all the employees of our defense industry who ensure this – ensure Ukrainian strength – with their work for the sake of defense. I thank you all! And by the way, today the Minister reported separately on the production of long-range drones, which is one of the key tasks for the defense industry.
One more thing.
Our cities, our communities, which are being attacked by Russia. Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia regions. Nikopol, Marhanets. The situation in many border communities is extremely difficult. But we always keep in mind that in every community, in every city, there are rescuers from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, police officers, our doctors, and volunteers. Everywhere there are people who save lives. And I thank each and every one of them who works in this way – for the sake of life.
Today I would like to especially recognize the employees of the State Emergency Service in Kherson region: Sergeants Ivan Bocharov and Mykola Liubchenko, Chief Master Sergeant Roman Popuriy. As well as police officers: Lieutenant Yehor Ivanov and Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Butenko. The State Emergency Service in Kharkiv region: Sergeant Dmytro Holosniak, Chief Master Sergeant Oleksandr Antoniv and Colonel Oleksiy Serhiyenko. As well as police officers: Captain Anastasiia Zhyzhyna and Major Artem Romanko. In Donetsk region, I would like to recognize the crew of the Phoenix rescue team of the State Emergency Service: Civil Protection Service Majors Eduard Annenkov, Vitaliy Salamakha and Dmytro Durakov. And also the White Angels police crew: Senior Lieutenant Dmytro Soloviy and Hennadiy Yudin.
I thank all of you and your colleagues for your dedication and for saving lives.
Glory to everyone who fights for Ukraine and Ukrainians! Who works to help fight. Who works to save people and Ukraine.
Glory to Ukraine!