President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received credentials from US Ambassador Bridget Brink, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova Valeriu Chiveri and Ambassador of the Republic of India Harsh Kumar Jain who are starting their mission in our country.
The ceremony of presenting credentials took place on the territory of the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv" with the participation of representatives of all foreign countries, whose embassies have already resumed work in Ukraine.
The President congratulated the foreign ambassadors and noted that the easiest way they can help our state, which has been resisting the Russian invasion for 99 days, is to be here now.
"I thank all the ambassadors who stayed in Ukraine for as long as possible. Those who returned to Ukraine as soon as possible. I will be glad as much as possible to welcome all those who will soon return to our heart, to Kyiv," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Separately, the Head of State thanked those who did not leave the capital of Ukraine for all these 99 days.
The President noted that Ukraine's heroic struggle against Russian aggression encourages many countries to change their attitude and perception of our state and see it as an equal partner and ally.
"The world applauds and admires our resilience and courage. Understands who we are, where we come from, what we want and, most importantly, where we are going. Sees us real. The people who defend their freedom and their land. Yes, this is us. Those who choose not to leave, not to run away, not to give up, not to kneel, but to fight. Struggle and fight. This is us. Those who defend their home, the eyes of our mothers, the smiles of our children. This is us. And that's exactly what our ancestors did. Many generations of Ukrainians who fought for an independent state. And every next generation knows about the feat of ancestors and is ready to defend their own land, no matter what occupier sets foot on it," the Head of State stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine today is a shield of Europe.
"But every shield needs swords. I hope the whole world understands this well. We need weapons to protect ourselves and you, your states. Good should be with fists, and even better - with HIMARS," he said.
The President urged to support Ukraine and have faith in our state, because sooner or later the Ukrainian people always overcome any occupier.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted that the current ceremony of presenting credentials is held on the territory of Sophia of Kyiv, which was founded 1011 years ago and where fateful events took place and fateful decisions were made. According to him, from now on this place will become traditional for such events.
"From now on, it is in Sophia that the newly appointed ambassadors of foreign countries will present their credentials. This is a step by which Ukraine emphasizes its attitude to each ambassador and to relations with each state," he said.
According to the President, this new tradition symbolizes three main things: trust, sincerity and responsibility.
"The first is trust. This is a sacred place for us. Those who stand here must be worthy representatives of their people. Those who stand here must be true friends of our people. The second thing is sincerity. Exactly sincerity. From our side. In this holy place for us, Ukraine promises to be a faithful friend and reliable partner before God. Those who stand here must never doubt the word of Ukraine. The third thing is responsibility. From your side. Those who stand here treat us the same way we treat them. Their intentions will always be bright, friendship - sincere, word - firm, and action - decisive," the Head of State emphasized.
"We are ready to be your ally not by protocol or etiquette. But by conscience and honor. We are ready to be true friends, strongly and forever. But we are ready only this way, and no other way," the President added.
Receiving credentials from the Ambassador of Moldova, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that at the beginning of the Russian aggression, the country sheltered a large number of Ukrainians seeking asylum.
"Our countries are united by the belief in justice. I do not want to say today that our countries are united by disaster, because we know what occupation is. We are united by happiness, because we know what freedom is," the President said.
Addressing the Ambassador of India, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine and India are united by the belief in freedom and independence. The President quoted the words of the national hero of India Mahatma Gandhi that aptly describe Ukraine and Ukrainians: “Strength is in the absence of fear, not in the number of muscles in our body. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
According to the President, relations with India are very important for Ukraine, and he appreciates contacts with the leadership of this country.
For his part, Harsh Kumar Jain recalled that in 1996-1998 he worked as the Second Secretary for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of India in Kyiv. He noted that he was impressed by how much Kyiv has changed and Ukraine's progress during this time.
Receiving credentials from the new US Ambassador, the President noted the strong leadership of the United States in supporting Ukraine. He expressed belief that the term of office of Ambassador Bridget Brink would only increase the strength of this partnership.
"Our countries are united by the belief in freedom. Belief in humanity. Belief that the world can and should be changed for the better," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He thanked the United States and personally President Joseph Biden for the hard work and uniting the world to support our country in the war for common values. The Head of State thanked for the bicameral support in the US Congress and strong bipartisan support. He also thanked the American people for their solidarity with Ukraine.
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Chargé d'Affaires Kristina Kvien for the work and great assistance to Ukraine in the struggle for its sovereignty and independence, and presented a state award to her.
The President also presented state awards to Ambassador of Poland to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki and Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas who did not leave Kyiv during all 99 days of Russia's full-scale war against our country.
