President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that his country is grateful to those who help with weapons, equipment and ammunition, but wants to provide those fighting at the front with Ukrainian-made weapons and equipment. “It is obvious that the fundamental evolution of the state is its own production, its own weapons, equipment, its own ammunition for all the positions that the defense forces need. Everything from missiles and drones to armored vehicles and ammunition of the right caliber,” he says.

In a message sent on Thursday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that he had a meeting with the command to discuss the situation at the front, News.ro reports.

“Special attention is now being paid to Kharkiv Oblast and the southern regions, as well as Donetsk Oblast, especially the battles near Avdiivka,” he said, thanking the fighters.

He noted that the meeting discussed how to provide the fighters with more Ukrainian weapons.

“We are grateful to every leader, every country that helps us with weapons, equipment, and ammunition. And we are doing everything to increase supplies. By the way, yesterday’s Ramstein reunion helped this. But it is obvious that the fundamental evolution of the state is its own production, its own weapons, equipment, its own ammunition for all the positions that the defense forces need. Everything from missiles and drones to armored vehicles and ammunition of the right caliber. The Minister of Strategic Industries has already presented me with reports on several areas: “armor”, missiles and anti-tank guided missiles. Today, at the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Innovation presented a report on radio-electronic warfare. We are developing a full program in all these directions, with clear terms and scope,” Zelenskyy clarified.

The President of Ukraine added that the priority is the digitization of the entire reserve for the Defense Forces.

“Digitalization will provide a clear understanding of how our fighters are supplied, where shortages occur and how they are eliminated. This is extremely important so that we can promptly show all our partners information about each delivered weapon. It is important that the reports here from Kyiv coincide with the real situation on the front line,” he said.

Zelensky noted that he received a report from the Foreign Intelligence Service on the situation in Israel and the Middle East.

“We monitor all information and maintain contact with partners to prevent destabilization. We clearly understand that the only stakeholder in the most pessimistic scenario is our enemy. I am grateful to everyone in the world who is working to prevent an explosion in the Middle East and to hold terrorists accountable for their actions against Israel – against children, women and ordinary people. We also remember citizens of other countries who were taken hostage or killed by terrorists. Ukrainians are among the victims. My condolences to all who have lost loved ones. It’s extremely important – and it’s important for everyone in the world, even those who may not yet understand – that terrorists will always be held accountable for the harm they cause,” he added.

Zelenskyi also talked about the first sanctions that the US introduced against companies that violated global restrictions on Russian oil, as well as the decision of the International Olympic Committee to suspend the membership of the Russian Olympic Committee.

“And a long-awaited step towards the historical truth. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recognized the Holodomor of 1932-33 as genocide of the Ukrainian population. I am grateful to all APCE members who voted for this recognition. Justice is always stronger,” he concluded.

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