President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the ambassadors of the United24 fundraising platform initiated by him. The meeting was dedicated to the further unification of efforts to support our country and its citizens during the full-scale Russian aggression.
The meeting was joined by footballer Andriy Shevchenko, boxer Oleksandr Usyk and American astronaut Scott Kelly. Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina, American actor Liev Schreiber and historian Timothy Snyder joined via video call. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak also took part in the event.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United24 ambassadors for what they do for Ukraine and Ukrainians.
"Today, it is very important to maintain unity in the world in supporting Ukraine to get through this difficult period. And I am one hundred percent sure that we will win," he emphasized.
The President noted that the terrible war against our country continues, and with the onset of winter, new challenges have appeared given Russian terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure, primarily energy. The aggressor intends to continue these attacks.
The participants of the meeting discussed the launch of fundraising for generators for hospitals. More than 1,000 units are needed. Currently, due to constant attacks on the energy infrastructure, Ukrainian doctors are forced to operate with the light of flashlights.
Before Thanksgiving, on November 24, Liev Schreiber announced a fundraising campaign for generators by recording a video message. He is convinced that this campaign will definitely be a success, especially thanks to the combined efforts of the United24 ambassadors.
On November 27, a video was recorded with the participation of Andriy Shevchenko, Oleksandr Usyk and Scott Kelly, which shows the iconic locations of Kyiv during a power outage.
Andriy Shevchenko said that for the first time in his life he saw the main stadium of the country - NSC Olimpiyskyi - in complete darkness.
"But there is always light after darkness. The Ukrainian people are indomitable, we will overcome all challenges and prevail," he is convinced.
Legendary astronaut and record holder for the time spent in space Scott Kelly, who arrived in Ukraine for the first time, said that during filming at the "Okhmatdyt" hospital, he talked with Ukrainian children.
"These children were injured during Russian missile attacks. I'm amazed at the morale of these children," said Scott Kelly.
Tennis player Elina Svitolina shared her plans for a charity evening, one of the key goals of which will be to raise funds for generators.
For his part, Oleksandr Usyk talked about the event in Los Angeles, during which a granite print of his boxing glove was sold at a charity auction for 100,000 US dollars. Then an unknown buyer asked to present this item to the President of Ukraine.
The world heavyweight boxing champion noted that it is important today to maintain attention to Ukraine and to understand that a full-scale war is ongoing on the territory of our country.
History Professor Timothy Snyder emphasized that it is now extremely important to protect the energy system of Ukraine. The international audience understands this, as evidenced by the response to the project "The Hunter of Shaheds".
"I emphasize that today Ukraine gives the world much more than we give to Ukraine. It is an example of courage for the whole world," he said.