During a working trip to the Cherkasy region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Main Personnel Training Center of the State Border Service of Ukraine named after Major General Ihor Momot located in the village of Orshanets.
"We must have a very clear understanding of the strategically important place of the State Border Service, our border intelligence in matters of protection and security of the state and citizens of Ukraine. Therefore, comprehensive development and reform of the border service is our common task, as a professional, motivated and selfless border guard is the key to border security and state protection," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a speech to border guards.
He reminded that security challenges on the Ukrainian border are more relevant today than ever, because the aggressor is not backing down.
"Without reforming our army, we will not be able to resist the insidious enemy," he added.
The President noted that in recent years Ukraine has been carrying out large-scale reforms of all components of the security and defense sector, including the border service. The transition to NATO standards is continued and the interoperability of Ukrainian troops with Allied forces is being improved. And thanks to the support of partners, Ukraine will be able to defend its independence more confidently and successfully.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the joint international exercises of the border guards with NATO units and the Armed Forces of Ukraine demonstrate that they perform their tasks professionally and at the level of the best border guards and military in Europe and around the world. This is confirmed by the successful Sea Breeze, Cossack Mace, Rapid Trident and Joint Efforts exercises this year.
"Once again, together with our friends - international partners, we pointed out that the Black Sea and our Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea - is not the property of one person. These are internationally recognized territories and borders of our independent Ukraine. The return of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the area of international maritime law and the restoration of navigation safety must become a priority of the world community," the President stressed.
The Head of State reminded that in 2014 the Ukrainian army and the State Border Service were unprotected, and the enemy inflicted powerful blows on Ukrainian positions near Zelenopillya and Dovzhansky with almost impunity. The enemy was stopped at the cost of the lives of our defenders, including 70 border guards.
But today the state is doing everything to ensure that the Ukrainian border and its defenders are provided with the latest, most modern equipment and weapons. In particular, a line for the manufacture of elements of border barriers and a training center for the use and operation of UAV systems have been opened for this purpose.
"I believe that the day will come when we, Ukrainians, will use our planes, helicopters, drones in the peaceful sky only to film bright events, happy faces of Ukrainians, spoil tips in the Donetsk region, endless fields of wheat in the Luhansk and Cherkasy regions, the still waters of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea and, of course, the beauty of the Carpathian and Crimean mountains," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President noted that, despite the ceasefire regime introduced in July 2020 in eastern Ukraine, unfortunately, there are complications and our soldiers are dying.
"It is important to be united, because at different times of history we have repeatedly proved that when Ukrainians are together, when we are united, we can overcome absolutely everything! We must be prepared for any developments. And it is you, the border guards, who will testify that peace has come and the borders are reliably protected,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.
The Head of State thanked the border guards for the courage, heroism, selflessness and brothers-in-arms spirit they demonstrate every day.
The President also congratulated the border guards on the 18th anniversary of the establishment of the Intelligence Department of the State Border Service of Ukraine and presented state awards.
