I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!
Briefly about this day.
First: we conducted another exchange. 103 Ukrainian defenders were returned from Russian captivity. The guys had been in captivity since 2022 — since the first months of the war. They are warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, border guards, police officers, and other units of our Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine. In particular, the defenders of Kyiv region, Donetsk region — this is Mariupol, Azovstal and other parts of the region. Also, those captured in Kharkiv and Kherson regions. Among them, there are guys in critical condition after being wounded. All of them will be provided with the necessary assistance. I thank our team involved in the exchanges. And I thank, for their bravery, all our combat brigades that replenish the exchange fund for our state. And in particular, our operation in the Kursk region gave the necessary impetus.
I have just spoken with the Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi. A report on the frontline: Donetsk region, key directions. We are holding our positions, no matter how difficult it is. He also reported on the Kursk region — on our actions and the enemy's reaction. As anticipated, we are defending our fundamental interest — to bring peace closer. We are putting pressure on Russia and doing everything to make the war felt there, where it was brought to Ukraine from.
I met with a delegation of U.S. Congressmen. It is important to keep our partners at all levels fully informed of our needs, of our positions. It is crucial that all states, and especially those like the United States, implement our agreements really promptly. This should be felt on the frontline. Every delay in military packages has its negative consequences at the front. Every truly timely, fast delivery has a positive impact. I briefed the Congressmen on the current situation and the prospects.
We are also preparing for meetings in the United States.
And a few other things. I have signed a decree to honor our tank warriors with state awards. Today is their professional day. And I thank every warrior, as well as everyone without whom the tank troops could not function — these are the guys-repairers, as well as everyone who trains our tank crews and who fights in the diplomatic sphere to ensure that Ukraine receives combat vehicles.
Today, it is also important to say a few words to those of our people without whom it is impossible to imagine a really long-term international advocacy of Ukrainian interests. Today is Cinema Day in Ukraine — celebrated every year on the second Saturday of September. Of course, in times of war, cinema serves primarily as a means of conveying the truth about what is happening and what people are going through. I want to thank all those who, through the language of cinema, provide the world with truthful knowledge about this time and about how Ukraine and Ukrainians will definitely overcome the occupier. It cannot be otherwise. Only our victory, only Ukraine's independence, only real security of life, life and international law. And we must remember that one of our key tasks now and in the future is to tell the world about Ukraine, to establish friendship for Ukraine with as many countries, peoples, communities as possible. Ukrainian cinema, Ukrainian culture, and our people, of whom we can only be proud, will certainly do this. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine!
Glory to our people!
Glory to Ukraine!