On July 5, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented newly appointed Donetsk RSA Head Pavlo Kyrylenko in Kramatorsk.
The Head of State noted that in recent years there had been a lot of speculation about the alleged prohibition to speak Russian in Donbas, "oppression of Russian language", therefore, it was necessary to protect Russian speakers on tanks.
“To prevent any manipulations on this basis, I will continue in Russian,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized and continued his speech in Russian.
The President outlined the primary tasks for the newly appointed Donetsk RSA Head, namely high-quality infrastructure and timely payment of salaries and pensions.
“The whole world is closely watching the developments in Donbas. During my meetings abroad, I raise this issue as a priority. Most importantly, the whole Ukraine is watching Donbas. We have to show everyone, especially Ukrainians in the occupied territories, that we are one country,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to him, the top priority is to cease fire. Everything possible is done for that, including the intensification of negotiations of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk. In particular, the separation of forces near Stanytsia Luhanska has already been launched.
The Head of State emphasized the importance of providing high-quality water supply in the Donetsk region. The President said that he had discussed that issue with the Prime Minister. In addition, the restoration of Kramatorsk airport and repayment of salary arrears at mines are among the priorities.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that social and humanitarian issues in Donbas could be solved right now, without looking for the guilty or justifying the problems with the war.
“We must end the war and restore Donbas simultaneously,” he stressed.
The President informed that a large business forum would be held in September to attract funds for the assistance to Donbas. Investors from various countries were invited to take part in it.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also commented on the information regarding the family of Pavlo Kyrylenko in the occupied territory and his brother, who reportedly cooperates with the invaders.
"Parents consider themselves Ukrainians, they do not want to move anywhere. As for brother, this is a sore subject for Pavlo, so I took the liberty of telling that. He does not communicate with his brother because of political differences. Pavlo left the occupied territory and has worked in Ukraine since the first days of occupation. The war broke many families. Please do not divide us into friends and foes, people who live in the temporarily occupied territories today. They are also Ukrainians," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
For his part, Pavlo Kyrylenko thanked the President for his trust and stressed that all tasks would be fulfilled.
"I am confident in fruitful cooperation with law enforcement bodies, local self-government bodies, regional state administrations, united territorial communities after their establishment," the newly-appointed RSA Head noted.