​President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told compatriots on Monday evening that the primary task of the Ukrainian forces is to destroy as much as possible the resources of the Russian occupiers, their equipment, supplies, warehouses and headquarters, saying, apparently alluding to attacks on Russian territory, that it is “fair” for Russia to lose every day.

“Maximum attention is paid to the directions where we are advancing and to those where the Ukrainian troops are defending. In all districts, the first order of business is to destroy as many of their inhabitants, equipment, supplies, warehouses, and headquarters as possible. Russia has to lose every day – that’s right. And I thank all our soldiers who make this happen: all our soldiers, sailors, sergeants, officers and generals. It is very important that our defense and security forces, our entire state work as a single team in the name of defense,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized in his nightly video address, News.ro reports.

According to him, he discussed in detail with the high command all aspects of defense against Russian missile and drone terror, including the protection of the Black Sea grain corridor, given that last week, after withdrawing from the agreement on the transportation of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, Russia bombed Ukrainian port infrastructure on a daily basis in an attempt to prevent any exports. On Monday, Moscow bombed grain warehouses in Ukraine’s Danube ports for the first time.

“We are preparing powerful responses to attacks by Russian terrorists,” Zelensky assured Ukrainians.

“Europe has the institutional capacity to act more rationally than to close the border for a certain product”

In the context of the export of Ukrainian grain, the Kyiv leader repeated the call to the European Union not to extend after September 15 the restrictions currently imposed on imports to Romania and four other neighboring countries. He informed his compatriots that he held a “big meeting” on this issue with government officials and international partners. “We reached a very important agreement with the European Commission on September 15, the deadline for restrictions on the export of our grain, and we believe that the European side will fulfill its obligations from this date, when the temporary restrictions will cease to apply. Any extension of the restrictions is completely unacceptable and, frankly, un-European,” Zelensky said, repeating what he wrote a little earlier on Twitter.

“Europe has the institutional capacity to act more rationally than to close the border for a certain product. We are very actively working with everyone to find a solution that corresponds to the spirit of our Europe,” Zelenskyi said.

Regarding the integration of Ukraine into the European Union, Zelenskyi said that he is convinced that Kyiv will start accession negotiations this year. “Ukraine is fully ready for this – we are doing what is necessary from our side. And we are doing everything possible to ensure that the European Union is also fully prepared. And this year too,” Zelenskyi said.

It is expected that in autumn the European Commission will present an assessment report on the state of preparation of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova for joining the EU. At the same time, last year the two countries received the status of accession candidates, along with the corresponding stages they have to complete. Based on the report’s assessment, European leaders can decide at the end of the year whether to invite both countries to EU accession talks.

At the end of his speech on Monday evening, President Zelensky clarified that once a month he sends special letters of thanks to soldiers who distinguished themselves on the front lines. “Last week, I sent such a letter of thanks to our glorious 56th Mariupol Infantry Brigade. To all his soldiers and brigade commanders. And today I received the chevron of the 56th brigade – it is already here in my office, on a board with other chevrons. And a flag signed by the boys. Thank you very much, warriors! Many thanks to you, heroes!” Zelensky said.

His words of thanks, even if he conveys them many times at the end of his speeches to the nation, cannot help but recall the controversy that arose on the occasion of the NATO summit in Vilnius, when some comments by British Defense Minister Ben Wallace were interpreted as a rebuke to Zelensky for not thanking the West enough for the help he received. Although Ben Wallace later clarified that his statements were misinterpreted, Zelensky responded ironically, saying that he could see no better way to express his gratitude than to call him every morning when he wakes up to say thank you. Last week, Zelensky fired Ukraine’s ambassador to London, Vadym Prystayk, after he assessed that such sarcasm was “unhealthy” and could be used by Russia.

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